Paula Swayne Realtor - Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park Homes Specialist

I wrote several posts regarding the Land Park Community Association. Within the Land Park neighborhood a rather robust discussion was being conducted regarding the association's bylaws. There were 2 factions...the status quo group made up of long-standing board members who had contributed heavily to the association and the new group made up of newer members who felt there was a need for change.

I certainly was empathetic to both groups. I had been a founding member of what was then the Association to Preserve Land Park, created approximately 20 years ago to have input into drastic proposed changes to William Land Park. One of the founding board members was still on the board up to last February. Another had been a board member almost as long. They had given generously of their time, knowledge and energy.

The "Land Park Renaissance" group felt that the old regime had such a strong hold on the board that they could reject any new ideas with which they did not agree. Being a strong proponent to term limits, I agreed with their proposal of term limits and enlarging the board in order to prevent what they felt was a inordinate stronghold on the board. I wasn't quite as enthusiastic about the strategy involved in attaining this change.

The end result was that the new Land Park Community Association bylaws did pass and now there are 11 board positions to be filled. After a long back and forth discussion with myself, I have decided to run for one of the positions. I hope I can contribute to a better functioning board, better representing the Land Park neighborhood that I love. There is a need for new and fresh ideas...so why not consider joining me and hopefully becoming a Land Park Community Association board member as well? Oh, and please wish me luck!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

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Land Park is fotunate to still have such a market. Taylors Market is just such a market, only stepped up several notches. They ease the dinner dilemma of what to cook with ready to heat lasagna, tamales, stuffed baked potatoes, salmon, chicken and more.

They are reknown for their true old butcher shop, complete with every sort of meat, poultry and fish imaginable. The quality is unsurpassed. The selection is beyond the impressive, including such rare items as quail eggs, rabbitt, buffalo. They even pre-make marinated chicken breats, fajitas, meatloaf, stuffed salmon and much more. They are well known for their varieties of home made sausages.

If you are looking for a wonderful wine to go with that perfect dinner, just ask for "Dick's Picks". The have an extensive selection of wines and beers. Want one of those harder to find local sodas? Taylors Marke will probably have it. Do you crave fresh coffee beans that you can grind yourself? Come to Taylors and enjoy selecting your own brew.

The eclectic choices offered of marinades, vinegars, rubs and seasonings offers a great compliment to any meal. Chutneys, demi glaces, salts of every type, balsalmi vinegars...it is all here.

For those who appreciate fresh breads, Taylors brings in fresh, locally made breads daily. Baguettes, sour dough, raisen bread, bagels, and seasoned breads simply are unsurpassed.

When you are looking for that special grocery shopping experience, visit Taylors...you will never look back!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

After much fanfare, Land Park Community Association is starting fresh. In a meeting on February 11th, sweeping changes were made to the association's by-laws. With the board now having the capacity of 15 members and presently having 4, it will have 11 brand new board members. There will certainly be a time of adjustment and work toward cohesiveness, but the hope is that this board will better represent a changing and well established neighborhood.

On April 29th, the association will be hosting Mayor Kevin Johnson, Councilmember Rob Fong and Supervisor Jimmie Yee at it's annual membership meeting. In addition to Councilmember Fong's "State of Land Park" address, the local police commander, Captain Dan Schiele will present a briefing on crime in Land Park and the association's involvement in crime alerts. If you are interested in attending, it will be at Tower Theater beginning at 6:30 (doors opening at 6:15).

There is a host of important new information from LPCA, so please feel free to see all of the projects they have going, the news they have and the schedule of LPCA events at http://www.landpark.org/.

www.PaulaSwayne.com

In striving to be the best regional zoo in California, the Sacramento Zoo is continually offering some great opportunities to not only the Land Park area, but Sacramento County and the surrounding areas. The following is an update of coming events.

EARTH FEST
Come join us on Saturday, April 4th, 2009 for Earth Fest! Here you have the opportunity to learn how we can protect and preserve the earth. Come hear from environmental, wildlife and convservation groups and participate in games, crafts, face painting, animal talks and much more! This is a free event to Sacramento Zoo members.

RECYCLE RUMMAGE SALE
This semi annual sale benefits conservations efforts locally and internationally. This is your chance to find that special collectible, book, piece of jewelry and toys, not to mention household items. Be sure to show up on Friday, April 3rd from 1-4PM if you are a member for a special members-only shopping spree, or on April 4th from 9-4PM for the public!

ZOO MEMBERS GET A NEW CONCESSIONS DISCOUNT!
You can get a 10% discount at the Kampala Cafe, Savannah Snacks or at any concession cart with your Sacramento Zoo membership card!

MERLINO'S FREEZE AT THE SACRAMENTO ZOO..OH BOY!
Anyone who has been in Sacramento for any length of time knows what a big deal this is! Merlinos Freeze has been around as long as I can remember. The original family sold it a few years ago, but it hasn't changed its deliciousness! Right now it is only open on weekends, but when it gets hot, it will be offered daily.

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
If anyone is interested in the inner workings and the plans for the Sacramento Zoo, here is your chance to observe. On April 14th at 5:30PM you can attend this meeting. Be sure to let them know you are attending by contacting them at 916 808-5888. Teh event is free, but seating is limited.

CONSERVATION CAROUSEL HAS BEGUN IT'S CONSTRUCTION
If you would like to see it's progress, check out the Zoo blog to see photos. You can also check out the Conservation Carousel page to see photos of the animal figures being carved.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 31ST
Check out the registrations Guide to Summer Camp Registration or Visit the Summer Camp page to see the 2009 schedule and class descriptions.

Don't miss your chance to experience a wonderful local attraction!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

Tiger photo from flickr by just chaos

The Sacramento County Tax Assessor, Ken Steiger, spoke to the Finance Forum of the Sacramento Association of Realtors this week. In it, he spoke of 10 things every property owner should know about their property assessment and taxes. I thought it would be a great list to share with fellow Sacramentans.

• Land and Improvements can only be reassessed if there has been a change in ownership, new construction or a decline in value.
• If you are an owner occupant you may qualify for a homeowners exemption on your property. This is currently a $7000 reduction ($70 savings per year) reduction from the assessed value of your home. This can be checked on your tax bill to find out if the property has one.
• Remodels or repair and replacement of existing items on your property do not cause reassessment unless you have renovated the building to the extent it becomes substantially equivalent to a new building. Additions are assessed at fair market value.
• Refinancing does not cause a reassessment of the property.
• Any transfer between spouses will not cause a reassessment of the property.
• Declines in value of the property resulting from a natural cause (fire, flood, earthquake) or market declines can reduce your property assessment temporarily until the condition is remedied. Requests and/or applications for reduction can be made with the County Assessor. *You can do this yourself...don't buy into the offers of doing it for you for a fee!)
• Supplemental Assessments occur whenever a change in ownership or new construction occurs. These are sent separately from your annual October bill. Since they are not paid automatically through your impound account, be certain to either pay it yourself or contact your lender to see if there is enough in the impound account for them to pay it.
• Transfers of title between parents and children, or in certain circumstances Grandparents and Grandchildren, may be excluded from reassessment if an application is filed with the County Assessor and certain conditions are met. Each individual owner can transfer property up to 1 million dollars worth of assessed value in addition to their primary residence to their children/grandchildren. In these uncertain times of government budgets, check with your CPA or the Sacramento County Assessor to find out if these numbers are current.
• If one owner of your residence is 55 or older, and you purchase a residence of equal or lesser market value within the same county (there are some other counties who honor this...check to find out the counties that cooperate), you may transfer your old property tax base to your new property, if an application is filed with the County Assessor and certain conditions are met.
• If you have a concern that your property is assessed too high, you can contact your County Assessor's office to try to resolve the issue. If this doesn't bring the results you want, you can file an appeal with your Assessment Appeals Board under the County Board of Supervisors. You must file the appeal within 60 days of the date the bill or notice was sent, or for the annual main roll bill, between July 1st and November 30th of each year.

Now, if you have further questions, the Sacramento County Tax Assessor's office has an award winning website at www.saccounty.net/assessor. Feel free to check it out!

www.PaulaSwayne.com