Foothills Sentry July 2024

Foothills Sentry Page 6 JULY 2024 If you water, save water. Every drop counts Learn more at eocwd.com Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com Book boosters and Fran fans Fran Williams of Silverado was the guest of honor at a Friends of the Library fundraiser, June 2, at the Modjeska home of Geoffrey and Sarah Sarkissian. Andrew Tonkovich, chair of the Inter-Canyon League’s (ICL) Friends of the Library Commit- tee, organized the event to rec- ognize retiring chair Williams for her many years of service, and to raise money for continuing spe- cial programs at the Library of the Canyons. Prior to an outdoor dinner of homemade chili, corn bread and salads, guests were free to ex- plore the extensive Sarkissian garden(s) while Connie Carter and Geoff provided a serenade of classic Everly Brothers and other hits. Addressing the crowd, Tonkov- ich thanked everyone for coming, and pointed out the do-it-yourself nature of the evening’s event: volunteers donated all food, mu- sic and decor. Williams then continued the theme by recalling when Orange County declared bankruptcy, and the Silverado Library was target- ed for closure. But she and others got the county to keep the local branch open four days a week with community volunteer help. So, effectively, it became a do-it- yourself library. Emcee Tonkovich then turned auctioneer for the evening’s fi- nal activity: soliciting bids on the special desserts donated by canyon pastry chefs. Among the offerings fetching anywhere from $15 to $60 each: Ganache- covered Napoleon by Brittney Kuhn; Natalie Garth’s Pecan Pie Cheesecake; Tamara Beau- champ’s Tahini Dark Chocolate Tart w/flaky salt; Rusty Morris’s Death by Chocolate Brownies; Ted Wright’s Caramel Pecan Kringle; Sue McIntire Kommer’s One and All Old Fashioned Ba- nana Cream Pie AND Mo Can- yon, Mo Bettah Coconut Cream Pie; Sarah Sarkissian’s “Friends of Booklava” baklava; Boxcar Benny’s Peanut Butter Peaks by Mary Smith; Jaime Campbell’s Chocolate Chip Canyon Dozen; and Dayna Edwards’s Chaotic Canyon Spice Cake Cookies. Tonkovich estimated that the 60 or so attendees raised about half the committee’s fundraising goal for the year that evening. Speaking of libraries At the June 4 ICL meeting, Branch Manager Laura Blasing- ham thanked Friends of the Li- brary for paying for craft supplies and toys at the library. Family/all- ages presentations in July include marionettes, magic, juggling and live animals. See ocpl.org/librar- ies/lotc for details. Phone phun Joanne Hubble reports that the California Public Utilities Com- mission (CPUC) tentatively “dis- missed with prejudice” AT&T’s application to no longer be a Car- rier Of Last Resort (COLR). The proposed decision says that AT&T did not follow the COLR rules. But it also says, “Given the age of its COLR rules, as well as changes in the marketplace, it is appropriate for the Commission to consider whether its COLR rules should be revised, and, if so, how the rules should be revised.” If the rules change, AT&T would have to wait a year before submitting another application. The CPUC also criticizedAT&T for implying that COLR status prevents it from replacing copper phone lines with VoIP, wireless, or fiber, “The Commission does not have rules preventing AT&T from retiring copper facilities.” The Bridges of Orange County This is the current status of Silverado bridge replacement projects, according to OC Public Works (OCPW). Just west of the Silverado Com- munity Center: The design is complete; OCPW is seeking right- of-way clearance from Caltrans prior to construction authoriza- tion. Construction is anticipated to start in spring 2025. At Ladd Canyon: The design is at 100% and currently under county review. OCPW will then seek design approval from Cal- trans and ROW clearance prior to construction authorization. Con- struction is anticipated to start in fall 2025. Just east of Oak Lane: Con- struction is anticipated to start in fall 2025. Egg plant Acouple of months ago, groups of gray-green shrubs began ap- pearing along lower Silverado Canyon Road. Growing to almost 10 feet tall, stalks produced white and yellow blossoms resembling “sunny side up” fried eggs. Those plants are Matilija pop- pies (“ma-TIL-a-hah”), whose flowers, up to nine inches across, are the largest of any California native plant. The Matilija poppy is named after a legendary Chumash chief of Ventura County. It was nomi- nated for state flower of Califor- nia in 1890, but lost to its smaller orange-blossomed cousin, the California poppy. There are actually two Matilija poppy species, but the more com- mon one in our area is Coulter's Matilija poppy, whose flower buds are smooth, not hairy. It grows naturally in only a few places, because it is very picky about soil and climate. Over the summer, the flowers turn into brown seed pods that resemble kiwi fruit, after which the plant dies back and resprouts in the spring. Although Matilija poppy flow- ers look a lot like eggs, the two are not necessarily interchange- able. When making lemon me- ringue pie, for instance, substi- tuting white poppy petals for egg whites usually yields a very thin, dry meringue. But on the plus side, if the filling is made with Matilija yolks, it will contain no cholesterol. Santiago Hills landscape fees increase Residents of Santiago Hills will see their assessment for common ground landscape maintenance rise by $7.90 per year for single- family homes and $5.61 for con- dominiums. Total annual fees include an original 1987 assessment of $369.44 for single-family dwell- ings, and $221.66 for condos. That assessment had a cap, and cannot go higher. Landscaping costs, however, have continued to rise. In 2015, voters approved an overlay to cover the cost gap. That additional fee is subject to an annual 3% cost of living in- crease. The 2025 assessment will increase to $271.17 per single- family unit and $192.53 per con- do. The combined assessment, levied on residents’ property tax bills, is $640.61 and $414.19, re- spectively. Santiago Hills is one of two communities (Sycamore Cross- ing is the other) in Orange sub- ject to a landscape assessment. When those tracts were built, the city agreed to take responsibility for landscape maintenance, with the attendant costs covered by property owners via assessments. In most other planned develop- ments, common grounds are maintained by HOAs. The proposed Fiscal Year 2024- 25 (FY25) budget also includes funding to replace aging land- scaping and infrastructure over time. The city has been working with residents to develop an envi- ronmentally sustainable renova- tion plan. Projected revenue for 2025 is $938,814, which includes $26,557 from Rancho Santiago Community College District. Expenditures are expected to be $938,086. Excess funds will sup- plement the reserve fund balance, currently at $523,760. Matilija poppy