Anza Events Calendar, A-2
Your life in photos, A-4
ANZA VALLEY
Properly caring for garden soil is important task for healthy plants, B-6
OUTLOOK
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WITH CONTENT FROM
January 2 – 8, 2015
www.anzavalleyoutlook.com
Opinion
Merry CHRIST-mas: A reflection on the Season
Section Volume 15, Issue 1
Business in the Anza Valley
Harold Pease, Ph. D Those wishing to destroy or remove Christ from Christmas prefer “Winter Break” or “Happy Holidays;” the same is true of “Easter Break” to “Spring Break.” see page A-3
Home & Garden
Recycled Christmas trees help protect fish in county’s lakes and waterways RIVERSIDE-Who knew discarded Christmas trees could make life a little better for fish? The Riverside County Waste Management Department is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Game to collect trees at county landfills and provide them for fish habitat. The county landfill department is always looking for innovative ways to divert waste and preserve valuable landfill space. see page A-8
Health
Making New Year’s resolutions that you can keep From the American Counseling Association It’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and the changes you’d like to see for the coming months. Unfortunately, most of us tend to break many (or all) of our resolutions, sometimes before New Year’s Eve is even over.
Anza Valley Outlook
see page B-8
Anza Electric Cooperative is run by Katherine MacIver and Paula Ruiz, who presented their Coop Connections program and the benefits it Jodi Thomas photo offers to all who passed by at the Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
Jodi Thomas Anza Valley Outlook Manager With so many businesses vying for your dollar, it’s time to think outside of the box and turn toward home. It’s a good idea to buy locally, not just during the holiday season, but all year
round. Shopping locally builds community. Community builds a safety net in times of trouble and also builds a social web of safety. This fall the Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) hosted its annual Business Expo. All chamber business members
were able to set up a display for free to promote their business. Though the visiting traffic was light, those attending enjoyed the comradery and had a nice time. The FUN Group sold breakfast to help raise money to pay for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners to come.
We will share some photos of different businesses that attended and some information for each. Before you go down the hill, look to see if you can find that item or service you need in town or the surrounding areas.
see BUSINESS, page A-6
Jojoba Hills ‘Keeping the Dream Alive’ Founders of RV park talk about experiences Jodi Thomas Anza Valley Outlook Manager Before the opening ceremonies on Jojoba Hills’ Founders Day I met up with Kathy Vick, Jojoba Hills’ Corporate Communications Co-chair. Vick became my guide for the day. She led me through the gate into the compound where the Friendship Hall, the swimming pool, library and the other activity rooms are. All I could say was, “wow.” The Swimming Pool area provided a great view. All the facilities I toured along the way were wonderful and first class. Kathy then introduced me to some of the founders, so we could chat. Everyone was very friendly. On our way to find a quiet place to talk we entered the library, and this is where I met a couple, Phillip and Deborah Gardner, who were just beaming. They began to share their story of how they came to live at Jojoba Hills. Originally from the south, Phillip owned his own Software business. When his wife Deborah suggested they retire early and travel, he surprised her by selling his business and everything else. They bought an RV, and the rest is history. They traveled all over the U.S. and just happened upon Jojoba Hills three years ago. They fell in love and have since become an
Pictured are the founders from our chat. The group grew when I went to take a picture before the Founders Day ceremonies adding two more ladies; lt-rt; Beverly Kuhn, Hobie Kozlow, Loyed Fraught, Ann and Jim Arnett, Alice and Chuck Wyman. Jodi Thomas photo
integral part of Jojoba Hills community. This year they created a new website letting people know just how wonderful Jojoba Hills is. It was later pointed out to me that new members infusing new ideas, following in the footsteps and spirit of the founders, is all a part of “Keeping the Dream Alive” at Jojoba Hills.
see JOJOBA, page A-5
A view of the Jojoba Hills’ activity center which includes Friendship Hall, the swimming pool, library, and a host of other areas that house activities for members. Courtesy photo from Jojoba Hills’ new website
The people have spoken Californians vote in favor of three new propositions Brian Jones Assemblyman, 71st District In November 2014, Republicans in the State Legislature were able to pull off enough victories to take away the Democrat supermajority. For the next two years, Sacramento will not be able to tax-and-spend with no avail.
While this next term will still prove difficult to reduce taxes for families with Democrats in the majority, I will keep you updated on all of the bad ideas aimed at taking away your personal income and personal liberties. Aside from the local and statewide races, the voters in California approved three Propositions that will have a statewide impact:
Proposition 1, also known as the Water Bond, authorizes $7.545 billion in general obligation bonds for state water supply infrastructure projects, including surface and groundwater storage. While I would have preferred for the state to pay directly from the General Fund rather than increase spending in other areas, this is a small step in the right direction to ensure
California has a sustainable water supply for its citizens. Proposition 2 wisely requires the legislature to build a Rainy Day Fund by using half of the money set aside to repay state debts and to set the other half away in an emergency fund for budget deficit years.
see PROPS, page A-4