State says our outlook is rosy
I received this in my inbox recently. “California Senate President pro tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement on the findings by the Legislative Analyst’s Office on California’s fiscal health:
‘For eight years we have worked tirelessly to end the era of perennial budget deficits and bring about responsible budgeting. Not only have we pulled the state from the depths of the Great Recession and made significant improvements in critical programs, we are also well prepared to withstand the next recession without major cuts or middle class tax increases.’
‘As we begin the work of crafting next year’s budget, we will again first focus on building a responsible budget while also making strong new investments in our schools, universities, infrastructure, environmental-protection efforts and poverty reduction programs.’
‘California is strong, our budget is strong, but we have more work to do. Californians demand nothing less.’”
Great! So howsabout you help out the school districts with their unfunded mandates as pertains to STRS and PERS?
Now for some truly good news . . .
My phone rang on Monday morning and it was Annette Balestrieri. She was calling to tell me a truly heartwarming story from her weekend.
Annette lost her house in Larkfield in the Tubbs fire, and moved into Brooks Creek shortly afterward. On Saturday, she was baking her famous thumbprint cookies, when she heard a strange noise and turned to see her oven on fire.
She rang up the folks at the firehouse and the fireman from Station 1 responded. They were able to quickly get her oven extinguished and according to Annette questioned her about what she was making and how she was making it.
“This one guy was asking about how much butter, what kind of jam,” she said. “I thought he was just reminiscing about baking with his Mom or something.”
A few hours after they left, they called Annette back and asked if she was still home. She said yes, and they said they were coming over. Initially, Annette feared they’d found some other issue, but instead the presented her with a platter full of fresh-baked thumbprint cookies, made with the recipe she’d shared with the firefighter.
“They left here, went back to the station, and baked these cookies, and brought them back,” Annette said. “I just want to give them the biggest thank you. It was so wonderful.”
Great job Station 1! Heroes indeed.
Here kitty, kitty
A mountain lion has again been spotted in Foothill Park, this time on the backside of Pond B. Mountain lions are very shy, and normally want nothing to do with people, but this time of year (scarce food, young ones out on their own for the first time), and with the fires, their behavior may be uncertain.
The most likely victim if a mountain lion is likely to be your pet, so keep dogs leashed when hiking in lion country. Children also can be interesting to mountain lions, so keep them close.
If you see a lion, do not run. Stand your ground, pickup any children or pets, and make your self as large and intimidating as possible. Be loud, be crazy, but don’t run. Most lions will beat a hasty retreat.
Heather Bailey is the editor of The Windsor Times.
