Thursday, 28 March 2024

News

New legislation, expiring provisions and existing provisions coming into effect will not only make preparing one's 2008 taxes difficult but could make 2009 and beyond just painful.


When it comes to preparing your tax return, whether you use a professional, do them yourself or just ignore them, there are a number of trouble spots or tax traps of which you should be aware and for which you should plan.


Listening to the news, we hear often of increasing deficit and decreasing tax revenues. This along with the complexity of these, “traps,” makes it apparent that taxes are not going to become simplified or less costly. In addition, these trends show that it has become necessary to plan for these during the year and not just wait and see what happens, when your taxes are prepared. Because of all of this, one’s tax situation should not be ignored during the year, but should be monitored periodically.


There are several areas of concern. However, there is one particular issue that is trapping more and more taxpayers into increased tax bills and that issue is the Alternative Minimum Tax, AMT. This is somewhat of a stealth issue because it seems that very few individuals know of its existence, yet every year its provisions are affecting more and more people.


The AMT, is a separate method of determining income tax. Despite the name, every taxpayer is potentially subject to this tax. The AMT is actually a flat tax, having its rates being either 26 percent or 28 percent depending on one’s level of income. If you are subject to this tax, you must prepare your income tax return and determine your tax using both the regular and alternative rules. You compare the tax calculated under both methods and pay the larger amount.


Most good software companies do the AMT calculations, when you use their products. However care must be taken to properly code preference items. Since the Internal Revenue Service is focusing on compliance, errors in doing this could generate letters from the IRS questioning items on your return.


The AMT appears to be a big secret, as most people I speak with have no idea what the AMT is. The AMT is in response to reports that wealthy taxpayers were paying no income tax due to “special deductions” only available to the rich. The AMT began in 1969 and reportedly was originally intended to apply to only 155 taxpayers.


The first step is to calculate AMT income. In general, this is calculated by adjusting the taxpayer’s current regular taxable income, using all the traditional laws, with a number of tax preference items and adjustments.


Tax preference items are additions to income with income that is generally excluded from regular taxable income. These items include tax-exempt interest from certain private activity bonds, depletion, intangible drilling costs and accelerated depreciation from certain property placed into service before 1987.


While tax preference items appear generally for the wealthy taxpayers, adjustments affects almost everyone and can either increase or decrease alternative income. These adjustments include the standard deduction or some itemized deductions, the personal exemptions, incentive stock options and the passive activity loss limitations, which include losses from residential and commercial rental activities.


From the total of regular taxable income with preference items and adjustments either added or subtracted, an exemption reduces that total. The exemptions for 2008 returns are $46,200 for single or head of household taxpayers, $69,950 for married filing jointly taxpayers and $34,975 for married taxpayers who file separately. This calculation will provide Alternative Minimum Taxable income, AMTI. This figure is multiplied by either 26 percent or 28 percent depending on one’s income. And you now have the AMT tax. This tax is compared to your tax liability calculated by regular tax rules and guess what? You pay the larger of the two taxes.


These calculations are found on IRS form 6251 and are a bit more complex than I have mentioned here. There is also a worksheet available from the IRS which will estimate, if you are subject to this tax. The complexities come from income from capital gains, large income over the AMT limits and AMT credits. However, to explain everything would take way too much space for one article. The State of California also has an AMT, which follows the federal rules somewhat closely.


The problems with the AMT are too numerous to fully mention. Not only are the rules extremely complex, but the exemptions amounts have not been regularly indexed for inflation, as California has regularly done.


In addition, the adjustments of the itemized or standard deductions and personal exemptions place the burden of this tax squarely on the shoulders of taxpayers that were never intended to be part of this system. The exemption amount for tax years 2007 and 2008 were scheduled to drop dramatically which would of caused millions of unsuspecting taxpayers to fall under the AMT. Only at seemly the last minute were “patches” added to the laws which kept the exemptions at the current levels.


The big question is, what will happen for tax year 2009? The AMT would be a very easy way to dramatically increase tax revenue. In addition, should this happen, some of your tax planning may become meaningless.


It is estimated by the taxpayer’s advocate’s office that without major changes, the AMT could affect over 30 million taxpayers by the year 2010. With the economy and tax revenue, as it currently stands, this appears to be a tax that is not going away soon.


With all the fallout from the “financial crisis” it is becoming very clear that the financial and tax rules have changed and will continue to change. Most likely the change will not be in the favor of ordinary taxpayers. The consequences of not knowing how your financial actions will affect your tax return could cause you to have a very large tax liability next year.


Jon Meyer is a local tax accountant and enrolled agent with over 25 years experience in tax preparation. The office of Jon the “Tax Man Meyer “also offers retirement planning and insurance options. Questions regarding this article can be made by calling 928-5200.


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T Watts at the KPFZ microphone. Courtesy photo.

 

A children’s story: For, EJF, ADLN, ARB, JNW, JBLD, JJD, RTMW, TLH and all children, everywhere.


One sunny morning Brownette woke up and it was her birthday. It had taken her a long time to become 7 years old and she was glad. As she stretched and yawned she heard a noise at her bedroom window.


TAP, TAP, TAP, TAP, TAP, TAP, TAP. She counted each sound. Seven taps. She arose from her bed and went to the window. She was surprised to see a tiny horse on the ledge.


“Birthday greetings, Brownette. Today is your lucky day. My name is Euphrates (U-FRAY-TEEZ). I am the African Birthday Horse. Each day, I find an African child whose birthday it is. I grant them the ability to travel through time with me, to be any age they want to be. So choose three ages you want to be, Brownette. But remember, the last age you choose is the age you must stay. Which age would you like to be first?”


“I think I’d like to be 20 like my older sister, Orangine. She always tells me that, twenty is a good age to be.”


As soon as Brownette said the word ‘twenty,’ the room grew to a gigantic size. Or rather, she shrunk, because suddenly she was smaller than Euphrates.


“Climb aboard, Brownette. It will be a short ride. Twenty is not so far away. When we land, I’ll disappear, but when you’ve had enough of twenty, I’ll be near. Just shout my name loud and clear.”


Brownette mounted Euphrates. She suddenly felt like she was on an elevator going sideways. Just as she was getting used to this strange feeling, it stopped. Euphrates disappeared. She was still in her room but something was different. She felt bigger. She walked over to her mirror and was surprised to see she looked all grown up. She wanted to rush downstairs and show her Mommy and Daddy how she had grown, but before she could the phone rang. She answered it.


“Hello.”


“Hello, Brownette. This is Nathan. How are you?”


“Fine, thank you. How are you?” Brownette answered slowly, not sure who Nathan was.


“Brownette, I have been wanting to ask you a long time if you would marry me,” asked Nathan.


“Hold on a minute. I have to do something.”


“EUPHRATES!”


The African Birthday Horse appeared.


“I told you I’d be near,” said he.


“I don’t think I like this age very much. Can I be 40 now? Mommy and Daddy are 40 and they’re pretty cool.”


“Climb aboard to see what’s in store at the age of 10 times four,” rhymed Euphrates.


When the feeling stopped she was in a strange house, in a strange kitchen with seven strange little children tugging on her skirt. They were all talking at once.


“MOMMY I CAN’T FIND MY SHIRT HE HIT ME I DID NOT SHE DID IT AND I TOLD YOU I WAS TELLING MOMMY I’M HUNGRY CAN I GO OUTSIDE MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!”


“EUPHRATES!”


The African Birthday Horse appeared.


“What is it, child?”


“Forty is not the age for me. I think I would just like to be me.”


In a very short time, Euphrates had Brownette back in her room at her right age. It had been fun riding with Euphrates but she was glad to be back. Plus she still had her birthday to enjoy. And she did just that. She even had cake and ice cream twice – once at home and once at her grandparent’s house. But she never forgot about Euphrates, the African Birthday Horse!


Keep prayin’, keep thinkin’ those kind thoughts!


*****


Upcoming cool events:


The Lake County Branch of the NAACP will hold its annual Black History Program on Feb. 28 at Praises of Zion Baptist Church, 3890 Emile Ave., Clearlake, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited. For more information call 995-2545.


Calling For Light: A Spring Concert of Poetry and Music. Carolyn Hawley, Piano. Chopin and original Works. Accompaniment to Poetry. T. Watts, accompaniment on Trumpet. Lake County Poets Laureate Mary McMillan, Sandra Wade, Carolyn Wing Greenlee, James Bluewolf and Jim Lyle. Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m. Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. Tickets are $10 in advance at Watershed Books, Lakeport and Wild About Books, Clearlake. $15 at the door. Children may attend for free. A benefit for KPFZ 88.1 FM.


T. Watts is a writer, radio host and music critic. Visit his Web site at www.teewatts.biz.


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The Big Sulfur Creek fish ladder is meant to help steelhead migrate the waters more easily. Photo courtesy of Calpine.

 

 

MIDDLETOWN – Earth-friendly technologies and sustainable ways of supporting energy and business were a theme in Lake County on Thursday.


In the morning, Congressman Mike Thompson was on hand for the dedication of the county's solar array near Lakeport. Then, on Thursday afternoon, he made the trip to the Calpine Visitors Center, where he was honored by Calpine, which named a new fish ladder on Big Sulfur Creek in his honor.


Supervisors Jim Comstock and Jeff Smith, as well as state and federal officials, were on hand for the presentation at the Calpine Visitors Center.


The Big Sulfur Creek fish passage project is a joint project between Calpine, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game.


Completed last October, the fish ladder was shaped to create stable streaming flow conditions along its margins at moderate to high water levels. It includes ladder steps designed to provide juvenile fish passage at lower flows, and allows upstream fish migration over a wider range of stream flows compared to traditional fish ladders.


Calpine spent six years working on the project, beginning in 2001, said Calpine Senior Vice President Mike Rogers.


“This really is an exceptional example of sustainability,” said Rogers, who added that it's an example of industry and government coming together on an important project.


The company had been meeting with officials from state Fish and Game when the subject of Russian River steelhead came up, Rogers said. The fish were having trouble migrating through a part of the river.


Specifically, a road crossing on The Geysers property, consisting of a triple concrete box culvert, was found to be a partial barrier to fish migrating upstream, according to a Calpine report.


So began what would be years of what Rogers called “formidable tasks” – from studying the stream to designing a project, getting complex permits and diverting the stretch of river while the fish ladder was constructed, said Rogers.


The end result was unobstructed, year-around access to the largest suitable spawning and rearing habitat on Big Sulfur Creek – one of the largest tributaries to the Russian River – above the confluence with Squaw Creek, according to Calpine.


Officials explained that steelhead trout spawn from December through April in coarse gravel areas of small streams and tributaries where cool, well-oxygenated water is available year-round.


David White of NOAA explained that the steelhead is a threatened species, and Big Sulfur Creek is a unique habitat. The fish ladder maximizes the amount of habitat available in the river, he said.


To underline the project's importance, White explained that the Russian River's steelhead runs were estimated to have 65,000 fish in the 1970s. In recent years, that number has plummeted to between 3,000 and 6,000 steelhead.


The reduction in habitat and dewatering of stream tributaries were devastating the steelhead population, White said.


But there's hope that the steelhead – which is very sensitive to environmental conditions – will come back. White said two adult steelhead were found at the project site, along with close to 2,400 juveniles. They also found 1,000 yellow-legged frog tadpoles, two California giant salamanders and about 1,000 red-legged salamander larvae.


The creek is home to a very rich assembly of California native fishes, said White.


Rogers paid tribute to Thompson, who was on the short list of candidates considered to lead the federal Department of the Interior.


Thompson lauded the work of the NOAA scientists, who he said are doing good scientific work for the government.


He said fish are an environmental canary in the mine shaft.


“If the fish aren't living where they're supposed to be living, something is wrong,” said Thompson.


Thompson recalled that he and Calpine go back a long way.


While he was in the state Legislature in the 1990s, the effort got under way to put in place Lake County's effluent pipeline to The Geysers – where the treated wastewater is injected into the steamfields to help generate geothermal power.


Thompson was elected to Congress in 1998 and when he got to Washington, DC, he started working on the pipeline issue. It was placed in a bill but the Army Corps of Engineers said it would not allow the project even if the bill was approved.


“I was up against the wall,” said Thompson.


He said he received a call from a White House staffer asking if he was still going to support the bill in which the pipeline was included, and Thompson said no.


A short time later he got a call from the President Bill Clinton asking why he was changing his vote.


Thompson said he told Clinton about Lake County's pipeline and the problems he was having with the Army Corps of Engineers.


“It is so, so wonderful when you're needed,” said Thompson, recalling how the problem was suddenly solved and the pipeline was allowed to go forward.


“Renewable energy is so important to us and our future,” Thompson said.


He said he hopes to see the steelhead numbers recover after a 90-percent drop in fish numbers since the 1960s.


For the First Congressional District, steelhead and salmon are a big part of the economy, heritage and culture, Thompson said.


A trip had been planned to go to the fish ladder, but Calpine officials said concerns about a rock slide on the road preempted the trip. Instead, visitors were taken up to see The Geysers site.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

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From left, District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock, David White of NOAA, Congressman Mike Thompson, Calpine Senior Vice President Mike Rogers, District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith and Bruce Carlsen of Calpine gathered for the dedication Thursday, February 19, 2009, at the Calpine Visitor Center in Middletown. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.
 

 

 

 

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The Big Sulfur Creek fish ladder before the recent storms. Photo courtesy of Calpine.
 

 

 


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Hilltop Recovery, located above Middletown, is facing budget concerns due to the economic climate and the state's fiscal emergency. Courtesy photo.

 

 

ANDERSON SPRINGS – Things are tough all over, and people struggling with addiction are seeing a steady decline in services during a time when the services are paramount.


At the same time, economic hardships often contribute to escalating numbers of substance abuse and alcohol related problems in society.


Lori Carter-Runyon, executive director of Hilltop Recovery Services, said she was shocked when she received the call that the Ford Street treatment program in Ukiah was closing.


“They have been in business for so long and are providing such a needed service, I would have never imagined that they were being hit so hard from the budget crisis,” she said.


She and husband Ryan Runyon, who run the men’s inpatient recovery program, were asked by Centerpoint Inc., the agency they are contracted through, how many of the men from Ford Street they could take in at the Lake County facility.


Hilltop, located off of Socrates Mine Road, had eight beds available. The Runyons knew they might not get paid for months with the uncertainty of state IOUs looming.


The men from Ford Street needed to be somewhere, though. Options included homelessness and, for some, prison if they couldn’t be placed.


“It is my understanding that Centerpoint was able to place everyone – some went to the Bay Area- others to Humboldt County and some went home,” Carter-Runyon said.


She said that as the news spread about Ford Street, Hilltop residents asked if this was going to happen at the Lake County facility, and even staff wanted to know if they were in jeopardy of soon joining the ranks of the unemployed.


“I’ve done my best to assure them that we were OK for the time being – but I am definitely nervous,” said Carter-Runyon. “We are such a young program, being in business for only two years, and now we are the only local men’s residential treatment facility.”


She’s highly attuned with the state budget because it directly impacts the ability to continue operations. The agency they are contracted through for state referrals notified them some time ago that they may not be getting paid on schedule. Hilltop’s contractor lost six providers and another 13 through the state.


“They let us know that if the state was not paying them, they would not be able to pay us,” Carter-Runyon said. “As soon as I received this information I began tightening the reins on spending and prepared for the worst. I had our credit increased on the company credit card, and have gone to our bank to ask for a line of credit.”


At the present time they have enough funds on hand to make it through March, and with the bank loan could make it through April, but the bank denied the loan based on the state budget issues. They have a contract that is not state funded and a few private pay clients that provide some money. The program is primarily dependent on contracts funded through the state.


“It’s a relief that the budget was passed, but no money is being released yet. If we don’t see change, we’ll have to close our doors April 15,” Carter-Runyon said.


She added, “I’m doing my best to budget everything, and pay the minimum amounts so Hilltop can survive. We are going to need help.”


Clucky Plucky Poultry of Kelseyville donated 480 pounds of chicken, helping to feed the residents of Hilltop Recovery. Worldmark Wyndham Resorts donated patio furniture last spring and continue to donate bedding. Many community members donated much-needed men’s clothing.


Treatment saves money. The cost of incarceration compared to treatment puts the burden of millions more dollars on the taxpayers backs.


“The community support is extremely needed. It may be the thing that keeps us above water – with clothing, shoes, linens and foods donated, I can focus on the paying my employees, the utilities and keeping the residents fed until the funds are released,” Carter-Runyon said.


For more information on Hilltop Recovery and how to help, call 987-9972 or visit the center's Web site at www.hilltoprecovery.com.


E-mail Mandy Feder at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

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The recovery center is located in a rural setting in the south county. Courtesy photo.
 

 


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Judge Richard Martin explains his reason for denying the motion to reduce the charges in court on Friday, February 20, 2009. Photo by Harold LaBonte.




LAKEPORT – A Lake County Superior Court judge on Friday turned down a motion to reduce charges against a man accused of felony manslaughter involving a boat and boating under the influence.


Sacramento defense attorney Victor Haltom sought the charge reductions on behalf of his client, Bismarck Dinius, 40, of Carmichael.


Dinius is facing charges that arise from an April 2006 boating collision on Clear Lake, during which Willows resident Lynn Thornton, 51, was fatally injured, dying a few days later.


He was at the tiller of a sailboat owned by Thornton's fiance, Mark Weber of Willows, when the sailboat was hit by a speedboat driven by Russell Perdock, currently a captain in the Lake County Sheriff's Office.


Following an investigation which the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office was called in to lead, Dinius was charged in the case. The District Attorney's Office alleges that the sailboat's running lights weren't on and says Dinius was under the influence of alcohol. Perdock was not charged in the case.


Following several hours of delays due to other cases, Dinius' case was heard Friday afternoon by Judge Richard Martin.


Haltom had filed a request that the felony charges against Dinius be reduced to misdemeanors. In his argument he went one step further, referring to a procedure which gives a magistrate or superior court judge the authority to grant a full dismissal of all charges.


Deputy District Attorney John Langan offered no opposing arguments during the afternoon court session.


Judge Martin said he had spent a significant amount of time researching Haltom’s basis for the motion.


Then, in a 20-minute response, Martin denied Haltom's request, explaining that, despite the technical and creative merits of Haltom’s motion, it was not timely, as a window of opportunity to submit motions of this type had come and gone.


Martin further explained that the next window of opportunity available to the defense to request a review of such a motion would be between the point of conviction and the time of sentencing.


Following the decision, Haltom asked the court to allow members of Lynn Thornton’s family to address the court. Several of them – who had mailed letters to the judge stating their position in defense of Dinius – were present in court on Friday.


Martin denied the request to hear from the family, suggesting that the best place for such testimony is in front of a jury.


While still in the courtroom and discussing future court dates with Martin and Langan, Haltom informed the court that he would be seeking DNA samples from Perdock. Haltom openly expressed his doubts as to the validity of the blood samples allegedly taken the night of the incident.


“I have good reason to believe that the blood in the vials may not be Perdock's blood,” said Haltom.


Prior to the hearing, Dinius told Lake County News that he was cautiously optimistic about the motion's possibility of success. The worst-case scenario for him now is that he could end up spending four years in prison for the manslaughter charge.


After the hearing Dinius said he felt that local authorities will force the case to go before a jury.


Before the hearing, Haltom stated that the ability to charge Perdock in the case runs out on April 26 due to the statute of limitations. He made that point in court as well.


Langan remained in the courtroom on court business and was unavailable for comments immediately after the hearing.


The next court appearance in the case is March 27, during which Dinius does not need to be present. Other pretrial hearings are scheduled for April 20 and May 15, with his trial tentatively scheduled to begin on May 19.


E-mail Harold LaBonte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

 

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Bismarck Dinius is expected to go on trial this coming May. Photo by Harold LaBonte.
 

 


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After months of deadlock and a budget session that lasted nearly four days this week, state legislators on Thursday approved a state budget package that – while it's agreed that it's far from perfect – is expected to be a positive step for the state.


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulated legislators for passing the budget package to address the state's $42 billion budget deficit.


“I am extremely proud of the members of the legislature, both Republicans and Democrats, who had the courage to stand up and put the needs of Californians first,” he said. “Rather than approaching this unprecedented crisis with gimmicks and temporary solutions, we took the difficult but responsible steps to address our entire $42 billion budget deficit and pass historic bipartisan reform measures.”


Schwarzenegger said it's a “difficult” budget, but, he added, “we have turned this crisis into an opportunity to make real, lasting reforms for California.”


State Sen. Patricia Wiggins, who represents Lake County in the state Senate, said the budget will help the state address its budget with a view toward the future.


“This budget, which includes spending cuts, revenue increases and borrowing, is not a pretty budget, but it’s a necessary budget,” she said. “It’s a budget which spreads the burden across the people and businesses of this state, but it’s also a budget which includes economic stimulus and government reforms.”


Wiggins said the budget addresses the state's short-term deficit problem while paving the way for long-term solutions such as economic growth and job creation.


“And if we receive our fair share of economic stimulus funds from the federal government, we will be able to reduce some of the borrowing and spending cuts, and lower some of the taxes, that we approved earlier today,” she said.


The budget deal makes moot a lawsuit filed against State Controller John Chiang last Friday by numerous counties – Lake among them – in reaction to Chiang's announcement that he would begin withholding payments to counties due to the state's budget crisis, as Lake County News has reported.


Chiang said the move was necessary because there wasn't enough cash left in the state's bank account to pay all of its bills. He stated that he was forced to delay $3.3 billion in payments to local governments, state contractors and taxpayers this month.


Chiang said Thursday that the long-overdue budget deal won't immediately fill the state's treasury.


“The Department of Finance has promised to provide us within a week with the data we will need to update our cash flow analyses and determine how to manage the state’s payments through the end of the fiscal year,” he said. “Once this budget plan provides the needed cash in the treasury, my office will work around the clock to get delayed payments out the door.”

 

County Chief Administrative Office Kelly Cox said local officials are still trying to figure out how the budget ultimately will affect local jurisdictions.


Paul McIntosh, executive director of the California State Association of Counties, told Lake County News on Thursday that 37 bills – that, stacked up, were about 1 foot thick – made up the budget package.


One of the biggest areas of concern was a proposal that arose during the budget negotiations that called for delaying payments for mental health, CalWorks and several other benefits program services to counties for a period of seven months, as Lake County News has reported.


“That is not in this budget package,” said McIntosh.


There may, however, be some payment deferrals in June and July, he added.


“It's much more amenable language to counties than was originally proposed,” said McIntosh.


There also are plans for a May 19 special election, which will feature six different propositions related to the budget. McIntosh said those propositions include proposals to divert monies from Proposition 10, which imposed a cigarette tax, and Proposition 63, a mental health services fund measure; a spending cap; and a proposition that would look at the state lottery.


The special election is estimated to cost counties $80 million, said McIntosh. Counties are asking for language to be included in the legislation so they will be reimbursed for the costs of the election, as they were last year's February presidential primary.


McIntosh said the budget includes cuts in health and human services, particularly to program recipients, and some county administration cost reductions.


“We're grateful that the Legislature has solved this issue,” McIntosh said.


Although the Legislature doesn't have the power on its own to change the budget process, McIntosh said there is a building recognition that the process is “absolutely ridiculous.”


He said a petition is circulating to change the vote percentage needed to pass a budget from the two-thirds currently required to 55 percent.


McIntosh said counties and the state have a dysfunctional relationship that goes back 30 years, to the passage of Proposition 13.


Proposition 13 shifted total fiscal responsibility to the state, and removed a great deal of power from Boards of Supervisors when it comes to deciding how funds are spent. McIntosh said that, as a result of Proposition 13, only about 10 percent of county budgets are now discretionary.


As for the calls from some people that a constitutional convention is in order, McIntosh said to be careful what you wish for. The concern, he said, is that some interests might try to take over that process.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


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The Saw Shop Gallery Bistro is arguably Kelseyville’s least best-kept secret. I doubt that there are more than a handful of people in the county who haven’t at least heard of it if not actually eaten there. Since its opening it has maintained its paradigm of fine dining.


I’ll admit that I ate there a couple of years ago and I was disappointed. Back then I thought the food was overpriced and not very inspired, and I wondered why everyone kept talking about the place. But recently I’ve been hearing a lot of good comments about what Chef Jeremy Zabel has been doing during his reign there.


During a recent outing in Kelseyville my wife and I decided to try the Saw Shop again so I could evaluate Zabel’s changes. I haven’t personally met Zabel so I had no idea what to expect; this could be very interesting.


The menu can best be described as concise but eclectic. There’s a little bit of something from all over the world. I started with the tuna sashimi with the soy orange reduction and followed it with the prawns in Thai red curry. My wife ordered the chipotle tomato soup followed by the four cheese macaroni. Everything on the menu was less than $10 so that was a noticeable change from my previous visit right from the start.


The chipotle tomato soup was perfectly seasoned for me and was just what I would have hoped it would be from the menu description, but alas, it was my wife’s dish. She thought it was a tad, just a tad, too spicy, but she has a tender palate. She ate it all so it mustn’t have been too big a deterrent for her; the excellent flavor obviously outweighed the heat.


The tuna was very high quality (easily spotted by a sushi connoisseur like myself) but there was a little bit of sinew that was distracting to me. The orange soy reduction drizzled over the fish is fantastic and a composition I never would have even considered.


There was also a micro-green salad consisting partially of arugula and radish with other greens I couldn’t quite identify that I greedily wolfed down. I love micro-greens, they’re just so pure and new tasting. Amusingly (to me) I had already begun writing a column about micro-greens just before we left for The Saw Shop.


The four cheese macaroni was rich and evenly flavored with Gouda, parmesan, cheddar and, OK I’ll admit it, we don’t remember the fourth one. I don’t take notes as I eat since it causes the staff to stare at you. It also was flavored with bits of applewood bacon, which went perfectly with the cheese blend. It was fantastic in an “Oh my god this is so good but so rich” sense. The penne pasta was al dente and oozed cheese when stabbed with a fork. My wife claimed it was a flavor that she could eat every day. The portion was a good size and it was so rich that she couldn’t finish the entire plate, no matter how hard she tried.


The Thai red curry was as close to being like real Thai food without actually being in a Thai restaurant. The shrimp were huge and the chunks of vegetables were well cooked without being overdone. Red curry is typically the hottest of the curry blends and while it wasn’t too hot for me, if you aren’t a chile head be forewarned. There was a side of rice that will help cool the heat if you need it. I used the rice to soak up all of the red curry sauce so I wouldn’t miss a drop.


The wine list is filled with local wines by the bottle or by the glass. The variety is a little tight but with good exposure. I’d still like to see more selection of local wines that aren’t quite so common in local restaurants. For example, I found it a little odd that The Saw Shop is mere steps from the Rosa d’Oro tasting room yet carries none of their wines. The beverage prices are average for most restaurants.


Our waitress Annie was efficient and personable, but for some odd reason I was distracted by the necktie loosely worn around her neck. My weird psyche kept thinking ,“If there WAS a lumber mill here that would easily get caught in the machinery”... I know, a complete non sequitur, but that’s just how my brain works.


The art that decorates the wall is beautiful and is all for sale, but my taste in art is limited to sculptures of naked women and paintings of dogs playing poker so I felt a little intimidated by the opulence. My wife, the one of us that has good artistic taste and style, spent a couple of minutes wandering the dining room examining the displays. She informed me that there were some very good quality pieces.


So I came away from the place everyone is always talking about wanting to talk about it too. If you haven’t been to The Saw Shop recently it is definitely worth it. My wife and I were fortunate to sneak in just before a lunch rush, but if you don’t want to wait it’s a good idea to call ahead for a reservation.


The Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, 3825 Main Street, Kelseyville; telephone 278-0129. Visit the restaurant on the Internet at www.sawshopbistro.com, where you can see sample menus and wine lists, find out about events and read about Executive Chef Jeremy Zabel.


Ross A. Christensen is an award-winning gardener and gourmet cook. He is the author of "Sushi A to Z, The Ultimate Guide" and is currently working on a new book. He has been a public speaker for many years and enjoys being involved in the community.


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SACRAMENTO – Based off of his “four-legged stool” blueprint, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an historic budget package on Friday that aims to solve California’s $42 billion deficit.


Schwarzenegger's office said that the bipartisan budget package takes the necessary steps to reduce spending, bring in new revenue, improve the business climate and create jobs, and make government more efficient.


First District Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) voted for the package, which he called “a compromise of deep cuts and revenue increases that required both sides of the aisle to make concessions.”


Said Chesbro, “The cuts we made are the most severe in the history of California budgets. All Californians will be asked to make sacrifices, either in the form of service cuts or paying a little more in taxes to return our state to solvency. If we had not acted on this solution now – if we had waited any longer – the pain for all Californians would have been worse.”


Chesbro said he doesn't like taxes, or cutting spending on education and other vital programs. “But the Legislature had to act now,” he said, explaining that failure to act would have jeopardized California’s eligibility for federal economic stimulus funds. Thousands more Californians employed in the public and private sector would have lost their jobs as one project after another was shut down, he added.


On Friday Schwarzenegger used his line item veto authority to cut $958 million from the 2009-10 budget's general fund.


Those line item cuts include at least a 10-percent reduction to most of the constitutional offices; replacing general fund appropriations with federal funds that the state otherwise would not receive for higher education; and, finding additional savings within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.


Other features of the budget include a strengthening of the rainy-day fund, opening up of primary elections and elimination of legislative pay raises during deficit years.


“We have achieved a great victory for California today,” Schwarzenegger said. “By staying focused on what was best for the people of our state and not the special interests, we were able to come together and solve our $42 billion deficit and also find meaningful and lasting solutions to our broken budget system.”


Despite having to make some tough decision, the state is “back on the best path forward,” said Schwarzenegger. “We will continue to work with our most important partners – the people of our great state – to ensure we never again face the kind of catastrophic budget scenario we experienced this year.”


The budget includes $14.9 billion in spending reductions, Schwarzenegger's office reported.


The reduction from most constitutional officers’ budgets, which resulted from the line item veto, will achieve $47 million in savings, according to the governor.


He added that the cut to the constitutional officers' budgets reflects equity among all executive branch agencies for the state employee compensation reductions within the budget through furloughs, elimination of positions, overtime reform and reducing paid state holidays. The constitutional officers will have the flexibility to implement the savings within their own offices.


Higher education will receive federal funding to replace general fund monies in the amount of $255 million each to the University of California and California State University systems. Additional savings of $400 million will come from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation through continued reforms and other cost saving measures that will not jeopardize public safety.


The budget includes temporary revenue increases totaling $12.5 billion through a one-cent increase in the state sales tax, an increase in the vehicle license fee to one percent and an increase in the personal income tax that federal stimulus funding will likely help offset. The vehicle license fee will also include an additional ongoing 0.15 percent increase that will be dedicated to local law enforcement programs. Additionally, the state will bring in revenue through modernizing the state lottery and bringing in $5 billion in 2009-10 that will offset the need for additional tax increases or program cuts.


Chesbro said the budget package he voted for will have a far less negative impact on the First Assembly District than what the governor had originally proposed.


He said the Legislature saved the rural sheriffs program and greatly reduced the impacts of deferred payments to county services. They also saved the California Conservation Corps., minimized cuts to education spending and made sure schools will be repaid in the future. Schools also received greater flexibility in how they spend state funds, and cuts to health and human services were limited.


Without the budget solution, Chesbro said veterans would have been among those to suffer first and most severely. “The state was in real jeopardy of losing federal funds needed to care for those who served in the armed forces and fought for our freedom.”


Chesbro said the budget sought to keep the state's workforce intact. The vast services those workers provide includes everything from ensuring environmental protections, to building transportation projects, to helping people file unemployment claims, to fighting wildfires.


The governor said he fought hard to include needed economic stimulus to help create jobs and boost the state's economy at the same time as the budget asks Californians to pay more in taxes while reducing their services.


The budget includes incentives and gives a competitive edge to companies that are creating jobs for Californians and to encourage companies to expand in and relocate to California. Also, a “new hire” tax incentive will target small businesses that create new California jobs in the coming two years – when we need them most, officials reported.


The package also provides for more public-private partnerships and design build authority to create more jobs and build projects quicker and more cost-effectively for the taxpayer. As well as, incentives to lure television and movie production back to California.


Other budget highlights include flexibility for categorical education funding allow local schools and districts to use it as they see best fit to serve children and keep more money in the classroom. And the state will move forward this year to reorganize its IT functions to save an estimated $1.5 billion over the first five years and creates a new streamlined, cabinet-level office for the state’s energy-related functions helping California focus on energy stability and eliminating redundancy.


Schwarzenegger's office reported that one item of importance to the governor – that was highlighted among his campaign promises – was that the rainy-day fund, or the budget stabilization account, will be increased and reformed making budget spending more predictable and stable.


Additionally, through the budget package, Californians will have the opportunity to enact true reforms for the state including open primaries to provide more moderate candidates and eliminating pay raises for elected officials when California is spending more money than it is taking in.


The structural changes to put California back on track will go before voters. Schwarzenegger said he intends to form a partnership with the people to pass these ballot initiatives.


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MIDDLETOWN – Budget cuts are affecting school districts all over Lake County, and a planning session held last week by the Middletown Unified School District Governing Board aimed to consider solutions to the shortfalls ahead.

The board met Feb. 11 for their annual strategic planning event to gather input on the direction for the district, according to district Superintendent Korby Olson.

With the long range forecast for the budget looking bleak, ways to save money while still providing high quality learning dominated the discussion, Olson said.

Olson said the school site councils from all of the schools and some other individuals were invited to attend the meeting and look at several key areas including, school configuration, fiscal solvency, educational options, student learning, technology projects and facilities.

The topic of school configuration was a discussion focus. Olson said ideas ranged from closing schools to grade reconfiguration to maximize resources. The fate of Cobb Elementary and Minnie Cannon Elementary were both discussed as the group grappled with the expense of operating small schools.

Olson said no decisions were made at the meeting, but the sentiment was clear that other options for decreasing costs should be considered before closing schools.

Cobb has been among the highest performing schools in the region and the top performer in Lake County since the Academic Performance Index was introduced, Olson said. A new school facility for Minnie Cannon is in the planning stages, so closing either school is no longer being considered.

Another topic of note was a discussion of increasing the Middletown High School graduation requirements to align with the requirements for admission to the University of California and California State University systems. Olson said several other districts in the state have made this move to assure that all students who graduate have the option to attend a university.

The board looked at other cost saving and revenue generating ideas, including charging a fee for bus transportation. Olson said the board has considered charging fees for bus rides in the past, but felt that they had not had enough input from parents on the topic to consider this option.

In other action, newly appointed Board member Lynette Carrillo took the oath of office.

Olson said the planning meeting took the place of the regular business meeting, so a board meeting was scheduled for Feb. 25 in the Middletown multi-use room at 7 p.m. Middletown Unified School District is located at 20932 Big Canyon Road. For more information call the district at 987-4100 or visit www.middletownusd.org.

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LAKE COUNTY – Here's the Foodie Freak monthly calendar of good things to do.


I called many businesses to formulate this list; some of them told me to “check our Web site” but when I did they had no current events posted, so I am sorry if I missed any.


Many thanks to the Lake County Visitor Information Center and the Lake County Marketing Department who compiled much of this information.


As a special note, the Moore Family Wineries Irish feast on March 14 needs an RSVP by March 1, so if you intend to attend let them know ASAP.


March 1: Fish Fry, Howard’s Grotto, Clearlake. Lioness Club benefit for community projects and scholarships. $8 at the door. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 994-0441.


March 1: Sunday Brunch in the Garden, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. Brunch served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. George Husaruk will be playing the flute, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 275-2244.


March 2: Monday Blues, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Blues Farm will perform. 275-2244.


March 3: Meet the Winemaker, The Saw Shop, Kelseyville. 6 p.m. Robleto Winery. 278-0129.


March 6: Meet the Winemaker, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jed Steele and Joy Merrilees will be pouring Steele Wines.


March 7: Pruning & Pastries, Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyards & Winery, Lower Lake. 10 a.m. to noon. Vineyard Manager David Weiss demonstrates hands-on winter pruning. $10 per person, pastries will be served. Reserve a space by March 5. 994-2086.


March 8: Sunday Brunch in the Garden, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. Brunch served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stephen Holland on guitar and vocals, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 275-2244.


March 9: Monday Blues, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hanson Raitt Band will perform. 275-2244.


March 14: Wine Tasting and Art Show, Best Western El Grande Inn, Clearlake. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seventeenth annual event featuring local wines and exhibitions from local artists. Silent auction, raffle, door prizes and music. Benefit for the Park Study Club’s scholarship fund. Tickets are $20. 995-9316.


March 14: Irish Feast with Molly Brennan’s, Moore Family Winery. A three course Irish feast with wine and live Irish music at the Moore Family Winery’s Tasting Room. $40 per person. RSVP to Stepheny by March 1. 738-0507


March 15: Sunday Brunch in the Garden, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. Brunch served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Travis Austin will be playing flamenco guitar, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 275-2244


March 16: Monday Blues, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Twice As Good will perform. 275-2244.


March 21: Winemaker’s lunch, Ceago Winery, Nice. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jim Fetzer will host a luncheon celebrating the spring equinox with a food prepared by Chef Nicolas. Wine club members; $40; nonmembers, $50.


March 22: Sunday Brunch in the Garden, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. Brunch served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chris Forshay on guitar and vocals, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 275-2244.


March 23: Monday Blues, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Levi Lloyd Band will perform. 275-2244.


March 27: Lake Wind Ensemble, Tallman Hotel, Upper Lake. Featuring Beth Aiken on oboe, Ann Hubbard on bassoon and Nick Biondo on clarinet. Pam Prisco will pour Steele Wines. Tickets to this event can be obtained by calling the Tallman Hotel reception desk at 275-2244. The cost for each reception and concert is $40.


March 28 and 29: The Fifth Annual Tulip Festival, Tulip Hill Winery, noon to 4 p.m. Live music, wine, food and winery tours and 50,000 tulips will be in bloom. $25 in advance $30 the day of the event.


March 29: Sunday Brunch in the Garden, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. Brunch served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sarah Tichava on guitar and vocals, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 275-2244.


March 29: Wine Tasting Basics, Moore Family Winery, Gary Johnson will be matching MFW with small bites, free logo glass and wine wheel. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. $25. RSVP to Stepheny by March 25. 738-0507.


March 30: Monday Blues, The Blue Wing, Upper Lake. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lake Blues All-Stars will perform. 275-2244


Ongoing activities


The New Cool at Konocti Harbor featuring David Neft. Konocti Harbor hosts “The Piano Man” David Neft, playing the grand piano from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in the relaunched dining room. www.konoctiharbor.com.


Langtry Estate and Vineyard is offering exciting and innovative tour programs. Guests ride in battery-operated Global Electric Motorcars. Tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday. The Tephra Vineyard Lunch Tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $40 per person includes lunch and wine tasting. 21000 Butts Canyon Road. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. Info: 987-2385.


Tuscan Village Friday Concert Series, Main Street, Lower Lake. Live music, food, wine tasting. Presented by 2Goombas and Terrill Cellars. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Info: 994-3354.


Beer Master Dinner Series, Molly Brennan’s 175 N. Main St., Lakeport. Second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Different brewery featured each month, with beers paired with each course of a five-course meal including dessert. Advance reservations required. Info: 262-1600.


If you have a food or wine related event and would like to have it listed in the coming months, please feel free to call Ross at 998-9550.


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THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED; THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HAS UPGRADED THIS QUAKE FROM 3.3 TO 3.7 MAGNITUDE.

 

THE GEYSERS – A 3.7-magnitude earthquake hit The Geysers area early Friday morning.

The quake occurred at 2:29 a.m., and was centered one mile north of The Geysers, five miles west southwest of Cobb and seven miles west northwest of Anderson Springs, according to the US Geological Survey.

The US Geological Survey report noted that the quake was recorded at a depth of 1.4 miles.

Residents of Kelseyville and Cobb reported feeling the quake, which also was felt as far away as El Cerrito and San Francisco, according to the US Geological Survey's shake reports.

The last earthquake measuring 3.0 or above reported in Lake County occurred on Jan. 22, measured 3.0 on the Richter scale and was centered one mile northwest of The Geysers, as Lake County News has reported.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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CLEARLAKE OAKS – A Nice man was arrested following a collision Sunday on charges that he was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.


The California Highway Patrol reported that 19-year-old Ricardo Medina was arrested following the crash, which occurred at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15.


Medina was driving his 1991 Red Chevy Blazer westbound on Highway 20 east of Mitchell Road in Clearlake Oaks, while 57-year-old Pamela Joseph of Clearlake Oaks was driving her 1994 green Ford Explorer eastbound on Highway 20, the CHP reported.


The CHP report said Medina was unable to negotiate a right curve in the road and crossed into the eastbound lane and struck Joseph’s vehicle head-on.


Both vehicles sustained major damage and came to rest blocking the westbound lane, according to the CHP.


Joseph sustained major non-life threatening injuries while Medina only sustained minor injuries. The CHP said both parties were taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital by Northshore Fire Protection District ambulance.


Medina is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of collision and was booked into the Lake County Jail after being released from the hospital, the CHP reported.


CHP Officer Joseph Wind is investigating the incident.


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Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

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