CALIFORNIA SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN- MORTGAGE INTEREST TAX DEDUCTION

Recently I wrote a letter to Senator Feinstein which expressed my concerns over the topic of changing/ restructuring the way the government allows tax payers to write off their mortgage interest. I wrote to her as a homeowner as well as a Realtor and took a conservative position. A position that I will not share here, but I will share Mrs. Feinstein's reply (below). I added the back links so you could research the Acts.

Dear Scott:

 

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about proposals to limit the mortgage interest tax deduction.  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

 

As you know, Congress is currently debating ways to increase revenue and cut spending in an effort to address our national debt.  One proposal to raise revenue would limit the value of itemized deductions, specifically for high income earners.  President Obama proposed limiting the mortgage interest deduction in his Fiscal Year 2013 (FY2013) budget as part of an effort to reduce federal tax expenditures and address our growing debt and deficit.  It is important to know that his proposal would have only reduced the deduction for individuals who earn over $200,000 and married couples filing jointly who earn over $250,000. 

 

Congress voted on January 1, 2013 to pass the "American Taxpayer Relief Act" (H.R. 8), which temporarily averted sequestration spending cuts required by the Budget Control Act (Public Law 112-25) and prevented the implementation of significant tax rate increases on middle class Americans.  Specifically, this legislation permanently maintains current tax rates for all Americans on income under $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples.  This legislation did not create new limits on deductions, though it is important to note that it did reinstate the Pease provision, which will, in effect, limit the value of tax deductions for certain upper income earners.  It is also possible that future negotiations to reduce the debt will include proposals to limit tax deductions. 

 

Like you, I strongly believe the federal government must do more to help distressed homeowners and stabilize the housing market.  I am also concerned that with home prices in California high relative to the rest of the country, proposals to limit this deduction– depending on how they are structured – could disproportionately impact middle class Californians.  Please know that I have made careful note of your support for this deduction, and I will keep your thoughts in mind as I work with my colleagues to address our national debt in ways that do not unduly harm California homeowners. 

 

Once again, thank you for writing.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841, or visit my website at http://feinstein.senate.gov. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,


  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator

If you would like additional information please contact your Senator. Click here to find your senator.

TRUCKEE RIVER FISHING REGULATIONS

The Truckee river has many fishing regulations. The price for not knowing them could be expensive. I have fished from Lake Tahoe to the California/Nevada state line and while you will see mostly people fly fishing there are some areas where you can fish for planters with bait. But you don't want to be caught in artificial only waters fishing with worm. So here is the sign (above) which will help you get a better understanding of where to go.

Click here for some of my additional posts about the Truckee River

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER FISHING REGULATIONS

The Little Truckee river from highway 89 to the confluence of the Truckee river which is just below Boca Reservoir dam has many fishing rules and regulations. 

 When I go to this stretch of river my go to fly is a San Juan worm in bright red. I fish it without weight and find most of the fish holding in structure. You can catch both Browns and Rainbows. None will be really large unless you fish the Little Truckee in the spring or fall when spawning fish can be caught.

NEVADA CITY'S BOGA YOGA - GOOD DAY SACRAMENTO - VIDEO

BOGA Yoga on the news this morning- RiseSUP's Scott Estrada and Summer Ward showin' em how it's done! BOGAste Good Day Sacramento

video:http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/9139510-surfboard-yoga/

GROVER HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND - BEAR

It rained the day we got there.

ALTA SIERRA - CAFE 8 SET TO OPEN

Cafe 8 which is located at 11859 Tammy Way in Alta Sierra ( next to the Alta Sierra Country Club's clubhouse) has received its final sign-off from Nevada county's public agencies. This process has been in the works for over three years.

First day of business August 5.

The cafe will be open Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 to 9 p.m. They will be offering smoked meats which will be cooked on their competition wood smoker as well as crepes, panini as well as soups and salads.

Cafe 8 is owned and operated Angela and Dan Davenport who also are the owners of the Alta Sierra Fitness.

RIDGESTOCK MUSIC AND SUSTAINABILITY EXPO - SET TO ROCK THE SAN JUAN RIDGE

The 14th annual Ridgestock event at the North Columbia School House is scheduled for August 17th from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. This years event will feature music acts of Mojo Green a 7 piece funk band out of Reno, Zepparella a female Led Zepplin cover band, Mount Whateverest and The Justin Ancheta Band as well as a celebration of community and a kids program in the mid to late afternoon, featuring Izzi TOOINSKY's amazing juggling.

Both Zepparella and Mojo Green offer a daytime family vibe and which is accompanied with a festival atmosphere in the evening.

Click here for tickets or call (530) 477-4724

Price $25

Mount Whateverest music video shot on location in Nevada City 

The event was created by Roo Cantada with some friends in 1999 as a small San Juan Ridge music venue which has grown to encompass the whole community coming together to work toward a common vision of sustainability.

This year speakers will be coordinated by Mud And Pearls, a local organization that hosts hands on workshops. The short talks and workshops will feature a wide range of topics including solar power, alternative building, etc. Organizers hope to have more workshops and hands on learning than in years past. 

Informational, organic food and craft vendors booths will fill in the pine shaded grounds of the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center along with a kid's space and performance, and picnic area. 

"Throughout the years, and with the community's commitment to positive change, Ridgestock has featured renowned speakers on topics such as alternative energy sources, cob and strawbale building, organic gardening and farming, energy efficient cars, local economy forums, and more." The events website states.

Cheetin Buzzies 2008, Ridgestock

In past year there has been an after party at the Brass Rail Tavern in North San Juan. So if you are looking for a place to go after the all-day show check here.

NEVADA COUNTY DRIVERS BEWARE -IT'S FAWN SEASON

The middle of July marks the time of year when baby deer become more mobile. I saw my first yearling of the season, it was dead on the side of the road. Then the following morning I took this photo on Lawrence Dr. in Alta Sierra near my home.

These cute spotted animals have no idea what a car is and they will often just dart out in front of your car. So if you happen to see one deer remember they travel in a herd and that means there are others. Please slow down as none of us want to hit a fawn nor do we want to see one dead on the side of the road.

JUSTIN DEME'S HOMER LANDS 384 FEET - RUNNER UP AT RENO BONEYARD SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT - VIDEO

VIDEO

Click here - round one
Click here - round two

Yeonis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics won the 2013 MLB Home Run Derby but what you may not know is he is not the only home run hitter from Northern California. Grass Valley's Justin Deme was runner-up at the this year's Boneyard Tournament in Reno Nevada (July 12-14) falling just one home run short of the crown but he did smash the farthest homer in the tournament which landed 384 feet from home plate. Deme's towering blast was hit into a 15 to 20 mile per hour wind and when it finally came down it was just 6 feet shy of the all-time record at the Boneyard. The Derby's format was each batter would get 7 pitches in each of the two rounds. Deme hit 4 HRs in each round which lifted him past all but one of the 200 entrants.

The tournament's website describes the event as...

Click here for photos of the party.

12U BROWN SOX TRYOUT DATE - AUGUST 18, 2013

Brown Sox 12U Baseball Tryout

10 A.M. August 18

Western Gateway Park Field#1, Penn Valley CA

Baseball Clinics – August 1,7,8,14 and 15 (5 to 7 pm at WGP)

If your child was born after April 31, 2001 and has a desire to tryout for the team then please bring water, helmet, bat, glove, a great attitude and a desire to work hard.

http://brownsoxbaseball.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brown-Sox-Baseball/118761941607776?fref=ts

The 12U team's first scheduled game is September 15 on Field #1 at Western Gateway Park. Brown Sox vs the Marysville Rebels.

Teams which we are scheduled to play are; Golden Spikes, Hank's Bombers Blue, Lincoln Outlaws, Spartan's of Citrus Heights, Auburn Rebels, Lincoln Tribe and Hanks Bomber's White. When the team plays these teams it will be a double header on either Saturdays or Sundays so expect to put in a full day at the ball park. The team will practice on Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. through November.

The Gold team will also compete in three large scale weekend tournaments (Aug 24/25 in Lincoln, Sept 7/8 Mather and Oct. 12/13/14) as well as host a Wood Bat Tournament in November at WGP's field #1 and #3 where parent will be required to assist with this fundraising tournament.

Fees and 100% commitment required.

For additional information please contact Scott Hopper at 530-477-2277.

IN SEARCH OF THE CUTTY-RAIN-BROWN - A HANK PATTERSON TRIBUTE

This summer my family made a trip to the Boise river in search of Hank Patterson's Cutty-Rain-Brown.If you are unfamiliar with Hank (click here). We did call Hank who is the self proclaimed worlds best fly fishing guide but he was already guiding his number one client "Reese" for the day so we did not have a chance to try the Betty White fly or his Grass Shrimp nymph but he was kind enough to tell us where to go to look for the the Boise river's CRB.

We waded into the middle of the river and stood next to a local where we observed the locals techniques. The local we will call Greg said he knew the water well as he had been living in town for about three weeks. 

 He told us to open and close your fly box 100 times while encouraging your fly to take flight which gives the fly a more natural presentation.

 We fished for a few hours without much luck so the local went into his fly box and said for me to try his special fly he called "Goldie." On my first cast I hooked into a beautiful fish.

  Here is a young man we will call Jackson who also caught a Boise Bow! He used a weighted leech pattern.

The Boise River runs right through town and offers some excellent fishing opportunities. There were three fish caught on the day but none of them were the CRB nor did we have the opportunity to see or meet Hank Pattereson none the less it was a great day spent with friends.

WINTER LEADS BEAR RIVER OVER AUBURN

Cole Winter delivered a carbon copy game when Bear River delivered a 13-3 ten run rule in five inning game over Auburn in 9/10 All-Stars on Friday night as he went 4 plus innings on the heals of a dominate performance earlier in the week.

EDWARDS DELIVERS - BEAR RIVER OVER AUBURN

The Bear River All-Stars jumped out to a 4-0 lead on a single up thE middle then Johnny Luzzi produced a single to left for a 1-0 lead. Caleb Edwards tripled which scored two. Justin Powell drove home Edwards with a single to right for the 4-0 lead.

Putnam for Auburn drilled an Edwards fastball in the 3rd to pull within one at 4-3 with no outs.

Bear River trailed a 5-4 to end the 3rd. 

Porter Elliott hit into a fielders choice to knot the score.

Edwards scores on a throw to second with one out.

Edwards who started the game on the bump for Bear River went 1-2-3 in the bottom sixth leading 6-5.

Elliott singled, Bradford single scoring Elliott moving the score to 7-5.

Edwards started the sixth and final inning with 72 pitches leading 7-5. He delivered a ground ball putout to second. Things then got interesting when the second baseman made an error followed by a single. Runners then moved to second and third putting the tying run on second and then Edwards fielded a ground ball for the second out of the inning Edwards pitched to Putnam who went to 3 balls and 2 strikes before he watched the final strike of the game as he watched a called 3rd strike.

Bear River wins 7-5.

4TH OF JULY PARADE 2013 GRASS VALLEY - PHOTO ESSAY

Photos courtesy of Joe Anderson