Author Archive
March 26th, 2010
North Ranch POA
North Ranch POA Asked to Vote on New CC&Rs and By-Laws
By: Sher Hann
Earlier this month the 462 property owners within the North Ranch Property Owners’ Association received a packet via mail containing the proposed new CC&Rs and By-Laws. Within the week another smaller package arrived in the mailbox via hand delivery, this one asking for a vote to disapprove the CC&Rs and By-Laws.
The letter accompanying the first package explained that the current CC&Rs, being more than 30 years old, predate California state statutes governing all homeowner associations. New documents, the letter explained, are needed for the association to be in compliance with state law. Furthermore, the current documents are sometimes ambiguous and not “user-friendly,” the cover letter stated.
The bone of contention prompting the second letter focuses on the storage of recreational vehicles. The proposed new documents would allow for such storage provided RVs are not visible. The 14 property owners who issued the vote-to-disapprove letter argue that commercial storage is available for recreational vehicles and therefore no RVs should be allowed within the neighborhood.
Another issued posed by the concerned 14, which includes two current Board members, is the power Board members would gain in the new documents to create new rules without a vote of the property owners. In addition, the proposed By-Laws state there shall be one vote per lot, and that for election of Board members, owners may cast one vote for each open position but may not cumulate their votes for any one candidate.
In as letter to all property owners dated March 16, 2010, attorney Glen Kulik, whose law firm participated heavily in the development of the new documents, issued a rebuttal. In a nutshell, he indicated homeowners can disapprove just the items they dislike without disapproving the entire document, that banning RVs would be held illegal if challenged, and that other concerns would violate California Civil Code.
While this may be turgid stuff, if you are a North Ranch property owner, be sure to review the proposed package and subsequent letters, and then cast your vote – yeah or nay, no later than May 1.
If you are hoping for the CliffNotes on the significant changes, you won’t find them. There are too many changes to itemize them, according to North Ranch Center staff. For other questions, call the North Ranch Center at 805.373.3725 between 1:00 and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.
- Sher Hann
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Posted by Sher Hann on March 26th, 2010
March 11th, 2010
Open Your Doors to an Energy Tax Credit
This energy tax credit could be just what you need
By: Sher Hann
So it rained and rained and rained. And my Cal Classic French door, installed after the 1994 earthquake, leaked and leaked and leaked. We hadn’t planned on replacing it soon, but Mother Nature intervened. Within a few weeks we will be the proud owners of two new Energy Star French doors.
Yes, two doors, because the Cal Classic in the kitchen is dog-ravaged. The only silver lining here, other than having nice new doors, is that a federal tax credit is available on our purchase (not installation and finishing though).
With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, homeowners who purchase “qualifying products” are eligible for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the product cost. Installation is not included. For windows, doors and skylights, homeowners must obtain a manufacturer certification statement to be for the tax credit; the maximum tax credit for the current year for all improvements combined is $1,500 (including roofing, insulation, HVAC, and water heaters).
Remember: A tax credit is generally more valuable than a tax deduction or tax allowance of the same amount because a tax credit reduces tax directly, whereas a deduction or allowance only reduces taxable income.
For more information, visit www.Energarstar.gov, the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder, www.MyEnergyTax.com or a recent blog by my colleague, Rob Jordan – “Tax Credits for Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems.”
By the time our days are sunny and warm, with nary a cloud in the sky, our new doors should arrive. Meanwhile, let the old doors leak away and be scratching post for our dogs. And since the tax credit on the two new doors doesn’t quite add up to $1,500, let’s see what else we could fix ….
EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.
- Sher Hann
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Posted by Sher Hann on March 11th, 2010
November 6th, 2009
Pacific Tennis Club in Westlake Village
Alive, Well and Growing
By: Sher Hann
Nestled behind the Westlake Inn, with 10 courts and a minuscule pro shop, Pacific Tennis Club caters to young, old and “tweeners.” Despite the current challenging economy, the club’s membership has actually increased about 3% over the past two years, according to club owner Bowie Hahn. This growth is all the more amazing given the fact the local population is – let’s be honest – aging.
What the club lacks in physical amenities (a club house and a private restroom would be nice), it makes up for in programming. I have seen kids so young they can’t tell their left from their right, as well as players we all refer to as “they must have been really good at one time” run, shuffle or hobble onto the courts. In fact, there’s something for every age: ladies leagues, men’s leagues, clinics for all skill levels, programming for children and youth (it is just a few blocks from both Oaks Christian and Westlake High School), and social events.
Just recently PTC contracted with the City of Agoura Hills to run their tennis programs, with the primary site being Agoura High School. A community-based club, allowing both members and non-members to participate in activities (non-members pay extra), PTC is also the lowest-priced tennis club in the area, according to Hahn – and perhaps the only club that is growing.
So don’t let the local aging trend stop you – or your skill level for that matter. Come check out a racquet (for a small fee) if you don’t already have one, check out the pros (usually worthwhile), and enjoy your time on the courts. If you have a business, service or just an interesting concept that you think your Conejo Valley neighbors might find of interest, e-mail me your idea (idea@SherHann.com). It may see the light of electronic media here at www.EwingSIR.com.
EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.
- Sher Hann
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Posted by Sher Hann on November 6th, 2009
October 16th, 2009
BOGOPOD: A Green Way for Ventura County and San Fernando Valley residents to save
Do You BOGOPOD™?
By: Sher Hann
In this age of tweeting, texting and chatting, there is a new verb in town: BOGOPOD. In a nutshell, BOGOPOD is a free service for consumers in Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles that provides bi-weekly alerts via e-mail and social media channels – Twitter, MySpace and Facebook – on deals and promotions from area merchants.
At BOGOPOD.com you can find hundreds of tempting offers from more than 125 local merchants. For example, at Bruegger’s Bagels in Agoura Hills you can receive three free bagels. “BOGOPODING” at Cosmos Grill in Calabasas will give you 50% off an entrée.
For local merchants and service providers, BOGOPOD provides feedback on the effectiveness of their promotions. BOGOPOD’s patent-pending technology tracks how many customers have viewed, clicked, printed and redeemed merchants’ coupon offers, as well as where those customers are coming from. The cost to the merchants and service provides, according to Bay, is around $150 to $200 a month.
BOGOPOD offers one additional benefit to merchants and consumers alike: It’s a “green” form of promotion.
The brainchild of longtime Oak Park resident David Bay and his business partner, Adam Leff, of Newbury Park, “Buy One Get One Plus Other Discounts” is primarily local. But the concept is transportable. “Our plans are to expand regionally and then nationally,” Bay says. “Right now our hands are full with Ventura County, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and Portland. We will be entering Seattle in the next month.”
So the next time you step out the door, step up to your computer first and print out your BOGOPOD coupons to help stretch your dollar and your shopping experience.
EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.
- Sher Hann
- Web Site
- " . $name . "
Posted by Sher Hann on October 16th, 2009
August 22nd, 2009
New Farmers Markets Westlake Village, Agoura Hills
Love Fresh Veggies, Herbs and Flowers? Visit These New Farmers Markets
By: Sher Han
Fresh Lavender
Sun., Sept. 20 Westlake Village residents can shop at a farmers market in the parking lot at the Village Glen shopping center at Agoura Road and Village Glen in the Thousand Oaks portion of Westlake Village. Although the Village Glen shopping center is technically in Thousand Oaks, the market is geared toward Westlake Village residents.
Aug. 23 Agoura Hills City Mall on Kanan Road, where artisan cheeses and rustic breads will also be available for sale. The Agoura Hills City Mall is “uniquely situated” in the city, near enough for residents to walk or ride their bikes. Morton said the market will add a little European flair to Agoura Hills.
- Sher Hann
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Posted by Sher Hann on August 22nd, 2009
