Most terrifying video you will ever see

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Last Nights PTA Meeting

I apologize for not getting the word out about the meeting. With everything that has been going on I simply did not look into when the next meeting was scheduled for, it was last night. Attendance was extremely low. That said, I have the dates for the next PTA Meeting at Vista del Mar, please mark it on your calendar.

• March 27, 2008

• May 29, 2008

All meetings are on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
in the Multi-Purpose Room

My Speech for the District Meeting

My Name is Ken Nelson, I live in Seaside of Talega (Zone 1), and have for the past 8 years. I have a freshman at SCHS, a 6th grader at VdMMS, and a 1 year old in the class of 2025. I am also the delegate to the HOA for Seaside.

"Why do we so often find ourselves dealing with crises instead of preventing problems or resolving them early in their evolution? How can we break this cycle of denial and inertia followed by crisis, and instead, take action early?" (1) With the possibility of Measure C passing, the land for sale by the City of San Clemente at Vista Hermosa and La Pata to build an additional 200+ homes, and the current building of Marblehead Costal why we have not already broken ground on one or more new schools defies reason. Take into consideration the imminent development of the Rancho Mission Viejo land behind Talega and the crisis becomes exponential.

The Talega Community Facilities District currently contains $57 million in unallocated funds that should be used for the construction of a new school. An additional middle school for San Clemente would provide the needed flexibility the district seeks. Converting existing dual use campuses to single use would allow the district to increase SDC and preschool programs. Building a new middle school could also be used to reduce the overcrowding of San Clemente High School by moving 9th graders to the middle school. The key is there are options.

While this solution does not solve today’s problem it does solve tomorrow’s. Please take this opportunity to develop a visionary solution to a complex set of issues.

(1) Heal the Ocean: Solutions for saving our seas; Rod Fujita; New Society Publishers; 2003.

District Public Hearing January 23rd, 2008

The meeting went very well. The kids count foundation did a good job of presenting issues with removing Talega area students, traffic, and safety. Numerous parents from all over Talega presented their personal stories. San Clemente was allowed to speak first and completed all the presentations by 9:30.

The OC Register covered the meeting click here for the article.

PTA Needs YOU!

Have you been thinking about doing more for our school? Your active participation will ensure that our children receive the very best. Your PTA will be holding elections for Executive Board positions in March. Please consider volunteering for one of the elected Board positions that are available this year. You, your children, and our school will benefit!

The following positions are available:

Executive Vice President
Vice President/ Programs
Vice President/ Ways and Means
Vice President/ Middle School Liaison
Treasurer
Recording Secretary
Financial Secretary

Please contact Del Dinger at369-5204 or del.dinger@cox.net if you are interested in any of these positions. More information is available on the PTA website www.vdmpta.com. Or fill out the attached form and turn it in to the front office.

Last Nights Seaside Meeting

Last night we had another meeting at my house. John Stephens our wayward neighbor now living in Northern Talega, was gracious enough to stop by and give an update on the what the Kids Count Foundation is doing.

It was suggested by John that there are not enough trustee votes to pass Superintendent Carter's Option B. Since it could still be passed it is important that we (Seaside, Solona, Carmel, Trinidad, Mendocino, and Pinnacle Talega) show up in force for the January 23rd District Hearing (see previous post for date, time, and location) and state that we are not in favor of Option B. We do not have to state that we are for any other option, just that Option B is not an acceptable option. More to come on that in the coming days.

John gave some background regarding the foundation, why it was formed, what its purpose is, etc.

John stated that foundation is 100% behind us and will continue their efforts with their trustee contacts. They are to be meeting with the trustees to discuss various options and to get an understanding of what the trustees will and will not support.

He stated, and I concur, there is no perfect solution.

After John left, I went over the plan of attack for spreading the word in Seaside. Georgain (sp?) informed me that she spent part of the day canvasing Carmel and informing them of what was going on. Turns out they had no idea, but support our efforts 100%.

YOUR BANK ACCOUNT

This is AWESOME.
Something we should all remember.

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn' t have anything to do with it," he replied..

"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing." Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

A Poem for Our Children

I live in a community,
of which I have pride
It’s Seaside of Talega
It’s on the South side.

We’ve been here since the beginning,
Almost 8 years have passed
We’ve seen lots of changes
Many friends we’ve amassed.

After waiting three years
For our new school to start
We’ve embraced being Makos
With all of our heart

Now 5 years have passed
Since the school’s inception,
Much time to be grateful for
The strong staff and direction

Our children are thriving
We’re happy as can be
Now you want to arbitrarily
Take that away from me?

Yes there is over crowding,
Obviously this is true,
But kick out the communities
That have been there, longest, too?

Even with our exclusion,
Very little would change,
We are an older community
with a small young student range.

We are burdened with fixing
A negligent act-
Born of poor planning, short sightedness,
This is a fact!

I wish we could have all
who want to attend
But which students to overlook?
which rules do we bend?

All in Talega
Have funded this school,
With school bonds and mello roos
Our money did pool.

Yes it funnels to the district to
Allocate and spend
But with this loop hole
Our rights do not end.

We intend to pursue
that our needs are met
We’ll hire legal counsel
and funds we will get.

This whole process has been divisive
It’s been ugly to say the least
For a community once united
Full of friendship and peace

But rest assured
We will remain-one community strong
How ever is necessary
However Long!!!!

~ Anonymous Seaside Resident

Trustee Recall Information

For more information please visit: www.cusdrecall.com

URGENT: School Boundaries Public Hearing

URGENT!

Your attendance is being requested for an important Public Hearing regarding future Vista Del Mar Elementary and Middle School Attendance Boundaries.

All members of the public are being invited to comment upon the Attendance Boundary Proposals

Please note that a new proposal has been added by the district. Six newly identified Talega tracts are to be redistricted from Vista Del Mar Elementary to Lobo.
WILL YOUR TRACT BE NEXT?

Event

Scheduled by the CUSD Board of Trustees

Location: CUSD District Office Board Room
33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano

Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Time: 7:00 p.m.



This flyer has been presented to you by: Kids Count Foundation

Mako Education Foundation

www.makofoundation.org

Vista del Mar PTA

http://www.vdmpta.com/webpage.asp?mid=51

Superitendent Recommendations

The superintendent read the first reading of the Regional Committee and Attendance Boundary Committee recommendations tonight. Additionally he gave his two recommendations.

Recommendation A was a Talega only Vista del Mar - similar to a K-8 but not called a K-8. He gave all sorts of reasons why this option was not satisfactory.

Recommendation B is basically option 4 of the ABC recommendation, however instead of rebounding the Talega 12, he wants to rebound Zone 1 which includes; Seaside, Carmel, Trinidad, Pinnacle apartments, and Solona. Grandfathering of existing students was included in both options. So this means that if you currently have an elementary age student they would continue stay at VdMES. However if you have a child that is not currently attending VdMES they would go to Lobo, then come back to VdM for middle school. The bad news is that VdMES will still be over crowded. The good news is that VdMMS will stay the way it is.

Note that one of the trustees pointed out that option B is not a new option, it was on the table back in November. Superintendent Carter acknowledged that this was not a new recommendation, so there is some history as to why this option was never selected. I assume it was because they would not get the numbers need to reduce the elementary school.

Recommendations are suppose to be posted in the morning.

Glen from the United Talega/Kids Count Foundation asked to attend, but it is up to you guys if you would like him to be there. I also have recall petitions to sign for those interested in ousting the two remaining old guard. I found out tonight that a recall would put candidates on the June ballot, not a special election.

We will need to discuss our plans during the meeting at my house tomorrow Tuesday, January 15. If you were not planning on attending, you may want to reconsider.

AAA/GATE Fee-Based Test

Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) is offering public and private school parents living within the CUSD boundary area an opportunity to have their children take the fee-based Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test (OLSAT). The OLSAT is used by CUSD to identify students for the Accelerated Academic Achievement/Gifted and Talented Program (AAA/GATE). The OLSAT tests both verbal and nonverbal reasoning. CUSD students who score in the 90th percentile in both math and reading on their fall CORE tests will be invited to take the OLSAT in January 2008 at their school site. Invitations to take the school site OLSAT will be mailed home during the month of December 2007. If a parent does not receive an invitation to take the OLSAT, he/she may have his/her child take the fee-based OLSAT on a designated Saturday in February 2008. Students who score at or above the 95th percentile on the OLSAT qualify for the AAA/GATE program in the fall.

The fee-based OLSAT will be offered on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at George White Elementary School, in Laguna Niguel (Grades 2-8) and on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Capistrano Valley High School, in Mission Viejo (Grades 9-10). The cost for taking the OLSAT is $65.00. OLSAT registration forms will be available in all CUSD school administration buildings in December. Parents may also download the "Fee-Based AAA/GATE Test Application" from the CUSD AAA/GATE Website at www.capousd.org/aaa. Checks and registration forms must be postmarked by January 23, 2008 or delivered to the AAA/GATE Office before 4:30 pm on January 25, 2008, so that the appropriate number of tests can be ordered. No late registrations will be accepted.

Talega Today Community Update

Pool Key Information
The Talega Maintenance Corporation Board of Directors has approved rule changes in regards to use of the pools and the Clubhouse in Talega. As Talega has grown over the last several years the number of pool access keys has grown as well and some have found their way into the hands of nonresidents. As a result the Board has authorized staff to start a plan to verify pool access keys ensuring that only current households have access to the facilities. This will reduce the common complaint that non-residents
are accessing the pools.

Starting April 1, 2008, all residents who haven't verified/updated their household membership form, will have their pool keys deactivated. In order to reactivate the key(s) a new membership form must be filled out. Forms will be available online at www.talegatoday.com or at TSAC. Each household will be allowed two access keys. Lost keys can be replaced at $25 per access key and will need to be picked up in person at TSAC.


Holiday Celebration Wrap-Up
Over 700 residents, dressed in their best holiday and snow attire, attended our annual Holiday Celebration. Whether it was a visit with Santa or creating holiday cheer, a great time was had by all. New to this year's event was the addition of sledding. We had a free snow play area, a bunny hill and the big kid's run.

With over 350 sledders, we were busy managing this new activity and were unable to take any pictures. So we are putting together a cover shot contest for the December 2008/January 2009. We are going to have four winners. The categories are as followed: cutest, funniest, wackiest and most original pictures. The deadline for submittal is March 1, 2008. The winners will receive a gift certificate to Ralph's Fresh Fare. If you would like to submit your photo from this event, please email Katie at ktincher@meritpm.com.

Seaside Boundaries Meeting

If you are interested I would like to hold another meeting regarding school boundaries at my house on Tuesday January 15th, 2008 from 7:00 PM - 9:00PM. The agenda is:

1) Review the ABC Options.
2) Review modifications to various options including moving the Kindergarten, Asking for Volunteers to move to Lobo, etc.
3) Answer any additional questions.
4) Plan for the January 23rd meeting at the school district.

One additional thing. I would like to get a head count of elementary age children in the neighborhood, including children that are not in school yet and children that attend private school.

Please RSVP to ken.nelson@sanclementetech.com

Open to all Seaside residents only please.

CUSD trustees demand colleagues' resignations

OC Register Article I have not signed the recall petition because the trustees in question will have their terms expire in November. I just don't feel it is worth $400K to not have these people in office for 10 months.

Prints found in Talega's Liberty Park may NOT have been from mountain lion

OC Register Article

Talega Today Community Update

SALUDA POOL
Saluda Pool will be closed January 3 through next week January 10th. We are changing out the pump. The pool cannot be open to the public without the pump working. Please go to the Talega Swim & Athletic Club for lap swimming. We are sorry for this inconvenience.

POOL KEYS
The Talega Maintenance Corporation Board of Directors has approved rule changes in regards to use of the pools and the Clubhouse in Talega. As Talega has grown over the last several years the number of pool access keys has grown as well and some have found their way into the hands of nonresidents. As a result the Board has authorized staff to develop a plan to verify pool access keys insuring that only current households have access to the facilities. This will reduce the common complaint that non-residents are accessing the pools. Starting now, all residents will be required to fill out the pool access key application form. These processed pool keys will be reactivated. Forms will be available online or at TSAC. Each household will be allowed two access keys, an increase over the one key per household rule currently in effect. There will be no charge for the second key. Starting APRIL 1, all keys that are not re-activated will be removed from the database. Lost keys can be replaced at $25 per access key and will need to be picked up in person.

FACILITY RENTAL INFORMATION
Due to the heavy wear and tear on the Clubhouse during rentals, the refundable security/damages deposit is increased to $500. The rental fee for the Clubhouse remains at $175 for the evening and the fee for a security guard is still $175. If you are interested in renting the Clubhouse facility more information may be obtained by calling (949) 361-8466.

Talega - School Boundaries Meeting.

Overall the meeting last night was very good. Well organized and well supported. Most of the presentations provided good information and was well articulated. The goal of the meeting was to educate the three trustees in attendance on some of the issues not provided in either the Regional Committee or ABC reports.

The trustees in attendance were Dr. Duane Stiff (elected in 2000), Ellen Addonizio (elected in 2006), and Ana Bryson (sp?)(elected in 2006). First they stressed that they had not yet taken a look at the recommendations as they just received the information last week. They also mentioned that this was not a school board meeting. Dr. Stiff stated, "We understand the problem and we need to work together." Dr. Stiff also stated that at the January 14th meeting he plans to propose the addition of 8 additional class rooms at VDM, he stressed that these will not be portables, but rather modular/pre-fab buildings.

Cindy Wright then spoke to introduce and thank the trustee members in attendance, the city council members in attendance (Steve Knoblock, G. Wayne Eggleston from San Clemente).

Mike Winsten then spoke to introduce the theme of the night and to stress that the meeting was to be held with respect, peace, and harmony.

Trustee Bryson then spoke stating that their was no perfect solution but their is a just or best solution and that is what was trying to be accomplished. She stressed that we need to make the solution work for our children and she "wants to hear what needs to be said."

There was only time to discuss 7 of the 10 topics. The topics presented include Mello Roos, Traffic, Safety, Disaster Preparedness, Lack of Talega representation, Need for a Census, and Overcrowding.

The speaker, Greg Dyer, for Mello Roos spent almost 45 minutes discussing the legal aspects of Mello Roos and his research findings. The cost of building VDM was $29.4 million of which $15.2 million came from the state in matching funds. The resulting $14.2 million comes from the collection of Mello Roos taxes (R5/R6), developer fees, and district fees. Mr. Dyer discussed what the law states and what the district policy statement said. In short there must be priority access to the school for those paying the Mello Roos taxes unless there is an overriding reason not to do so. Additionally this access right is directly proportional to the amount of taxes paid. He mentioned that he was having trouble finding out what the taxes have paid for or where all the money goes, at which time Trustee Bryson mentioned that she works for the county tax collector and could provide him direction on how to obtain that information.

Next Marty (did not get the last name) spoke about traffic. His goal was to stress the need for a traffic study. He estimated that there were 400 cars twice a day going through the intersection at the school twice per trip (coming and going). He also estimated that approximately 125 cars are lined up along side the school for drop off and pick up. Lou Avera (TMC President) then spoke as a member of the city traffic commission to state that the intersection was in the top 5 hot spots for traffic congestion.

Kristen then spoke on safety estimating that 226 families would have to drive past Vista Del Mar on their way to Lobo then sit in the VDM traffic (VDM starts later than Lobo), causing additional traffic and safety concerns.

The best speaker of the night was Sam Spitanko (sp?). His topic was disaster preparedness. He is a Lt. Col. in the Air National Guard specifically in emergency preparedness and response. He had six points that he went over than stressed the need for an emergency preparedness assessment. He referenced an east coast study of bus drives and volunteer fire fighters living in a 10 mile radius of a nuclear power plant (similar to us). The bus drivers and volunteer fire fighters were asked in the event of an emergency would you perform your EMS job duties or tend to your family, he cited that over 70% of the bus drivers and over 60% of the volunteer fire fighters would tend to their families.

Kristen then spoke again with concerns about how there was no member from Talega on either the Regional Committee or ABC. She stressed that they were not knowledgeable with regards to Talega's layout or the effect the Regional Committee's recommendation would have.

Cindy Wright spoke about the need for a census to understand school impact not just for Talega but for all of San Clemente. She asked how can you plan for growth if you do not know what that growth is?

Sandra Bertolo then spoke with regards to overcrowding. She mentioned that it is not just the number of kids at the school, but how do we accommodate the number of kids, specifically getting kids through lunch and recess. She stressed the importance of not mixing the middle school kids with the elementary kids at lunch time. At that point in time it was getting late and audience was getting restless so they committee opened the floor to questions.

Dr. Stiff's plan is to first increase the capacity of VDM from 1875 students to 2125 (not sure these are accurate). Then to formulate a plan to solve the problem for the long term. He stressed that we need to work together and that it was going to be a rough road ahead. During this discussion, Mike Winsten suggested using the land currently for sale at La Pata and Vista Hermosa to build a middle school (this was an idea that I had as well, more on that in another email coming soon). Mike would like to build a 7-9 middle school to help relieve over crowding at the high school as well, not sure of that a 7-9 is doable but a 6-8 is definitely doable.

The meeting ended after 10:00 PM. I then introduced myself to Kristen, Glenn Walker, and Cindy Wright. Kirsten and I spent some time talking and I think we are moving in the right direction for working together to accomplish both sets of goals. I also spoke to Mike about he and I working together to develop a proposal to build a new middle school.

TMC Board of Directors Meeting Rescheduled

The January 8, 2008 Talega Maintenance Board of Directors meeting has been rescheduled to January 17, 2008 due to lack of quorum.

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER

II. REPORTS
A. Financial Report
B. Management/Facility Report
C. Landscape Report


III. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes
B. Delinquencies – Liens
C. Approval of Financial Statements
D. Common Area Annexation
E. Subsidy
F. Management Report
G. Landscape Report
H. Waiver & Release Form
I. New Legislation Rules
J. Taxes year end March 31, 2007


IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
K. Trinidad Lighting Matter
L. Fences in Careyes, Cazadero & Pacifica Summit
M. Hicks v. Holland
N. Traffic Study
O. Talega Village Stop Sign

V. OPEN HOMEOWNER FORUM – 6:30 PM

VI. ADJOURNMENT