Posts by Lew

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME AND “ENOY” …..”FREIENDS” ???

Million Dollar View!

10098 Alamo Dr. 1.7 Acres. Build your dream home and enoy morning coffee  while watching the sun rise over snow-capped peaks in Yosemite. Entertain  family and freiends from your deck with a breathtaking view of Lake Don  Pedro. Extremely private and secluded property. Large asphalt semi-private  driveway. Engineered septic system installed. Large majestic oak trees.   Includes custom home plans.
Only $ 149,900

$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?$?

Real close, but no cigar. Perhaps a bit of subconscious admission and/or confession by the property owner?—

“ENOY” — “FREIENDS”

I saw the advertisement photo on the LAKE DON PEDRO REALTY website under land listings (Harry Alfier owner, of both the real estate business and the particular property for sale) and immediately recognized the view. The ad’s narrative confirmed the location: 10098 Alamo Drive (where this 1,600 foot long developer convenience road starts – diagonally crosses another owner’s property {making it virtually impossible to  construct a home due to the required septic and building setbacks-residential construction you will recall is the primary purpose of all subdivision lots}, makes a sharp right turn OVER a P&E Trail, then runs up the hill (does not even remain on the underlying non exclusive easement that was filed AFTER the FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP was approved by the County of Mariposa)  to a boxed-in dead end without any form of a safety notice) also known as Lot 1149 and APN 21-70-0270.

LOOKING DOWN THE "SEMI-PRIVATE DRIVEWAY" TOWARDS LOT 1149

{NOTE: There is also “dirt work” construction taking place on Lot 1152 (to the right in the above photograph) which is apparently signaling serious development off this dangerous “developer convenience road”.  I knew it would happen sometime after the dust had settled on this fire access road matter, but so soon?  – Especially now with all the recent fires in the area.   How can construction be taking place utilizing such a roadway for access in a designated high fire severity zone?  (Smoke from the current Rim Fire can be seen in the background.)  Why are regular folks required to pay a special SRA  fire fee of $150/year when such construction can be permitted?  Hold on….must be BIG MONEY in Don Pedro again.  Wonder if it has anything to do with the Association now wanting to fine average property owners for subdivision CC&R violations? Maybe some kind of distraction?}
PLEASE REVIEW THE VIDEO REGARDING THIS “LARGE ASPHALT SEMI-PRIVATE DRIVEWAY”:
{NOTE: The recreation trailer observed in the above video that was placed on the property by Mr. Alfier was eventually removed.}
“BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME” ?
QUESTION: Have these custom home plans (that will so generously be furnished as part of the proposed property sale) ever been approved by the County of Mariposa?
ANSWER: No. Called Mariposa County building department and confirmed no plans have been approved or even filed regarding a residence on this property.
Just my opinion, but without legitimate county approval they might as well be plans for an experimental Mars outpost.
“LARGE ASPHALT SEMI-PRIVATE DRIVEWAY” ?
This is a confusing statement because the authorities have previously advised a driveway serves only one or two properties, whereas an actual road is required to serve more than two, as in this case where several other properties along the road to be served were owned by the Deerwood Corporation. (Which modified and asphalt paved this dangerous excuse for a road that looks more like a golf cart path.)
QUESTION: Has this “semi-private driveway” (ROAD) been approved by any department of the County of Mariposa, CAL-FIRE, and the LDPOA (Lake Don Pedro Owners’ Association) as legal access for multiple residential properties?
What about the CAL-FIRE issues regarding using public firefighting equipment on such SRA (State Responsibility Area) noncompliant roadways? (Six roadway public safety violations– see above video for listings.)
Will taxpayer resources be required for a future rescue operation?
Why isn’t that P&E (Pedestrian & Equestrian) trail, which runs “under” the asphalt roadway and through the property which is for sale, marked as a public trail? (There was a sign indicating such but it mysteriously disappeared – imagine that.)
Surely a potential purchaser will be advised of this important fact? A public horse trail on and adjacent to a proposed home site that was originally planned to be approximately 10 feet from this P&E Trail!

SHARP TURN OVER A DEDICATED P&E TRAIL. LOT 1149 LEFT OF CURVE.

This asphalt paved turn is located over a dedicated County Pedestrian-Equestrian Trail – can you imagine a huge fire truck attempting to negotiate this turn during an emergency?   County Ordinance 950 states no motor vehicles on such trails, how did this happen?
I am very curious as to what sort of items might be listed on a known disclosure notice.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Contacted Mariposa County Planning Department but they do not become involved in such matters until AFTER building plans have actually been filed. So, the old expression, Caveat emptor, or buyer beware, is sage advice for any substantial investment and a property with a “million dollar view” is no different. Did this million dollar view take into consideration all the past legal fees in its professed calculation of value?
Heck, a buyer may not learn of any inability to build (if there is such inability) until after the property transfer is complete – that is, without some due diligence on their part or a detailed known disclosure notice prior to purchase. Must a seller advise a potential buyer of these issues? I really don’t know, but in all fairness it would seem they would.

Gosh, for how much more money is this property now being listed only because of this extremely dangerous access roadway which will likely cause further legal difficulties, heart aches and perhaps even injury and/or death in the future?

Such dangerous roads can greatly increase the value of difficult to develop properties by negating the necessity of constructing a legitimate driveway but who actually pays for this added value?
Should state or county fire personnel (or any first responder) be required to risk their lives for the sake of increased real estate profits because of an enhanced view of Yosemite and Lake Don Pedro without the traditional costs?
THE BIG QUESTION: Harry Alfier has repeatedly stated it was his 40 year old dream to build a house on this lot, so why doesn’t he use his own custom home plans and “semi-private driveway”  to do so – as he suggests someone else could in the advertisement?
Perhaps because ……Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids?  (Reference Elton John’s Rocket Man)
CAVEAT EMPTOR MY FRIENDS, CAVEAT EMPTOR.
-My best to you and yours, Lew
Just in case the ad changes, this was the original ad upon which the blog was based:
Million Dollar View!
10098 Alamo Dr.
1.7   Acres. Build   your dream home   and enoy morning   coffee while   watching the   sun rise over   snow-capped peaks in Yosemite.   Entertain family and freiends   from your deck   with a breathtaking   view of Lake   Don Pedro. Extremely   private and secluded property. Large   asphalt semi-private   driveway. Engineered   septic system   installed. Large   majestic oak   trees. Includes   custom home plans. View 2

Only $ 149,900
Categories: Uncategorized.

OLD ROPE = NAP TIME

Tale of the tailbone (Coccyx).   LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YReOTngmz0&feature=youtu.be

August 12 2013:  Alternative (a made up and pitiful attempt at humor) explanation for my extremely sore Coccyx:  http://youtu.be/4rKtQYKzWxg

[HEY!  IT’S GOING TO HURT REGARDLESS ANYWAY, RIGHT? So I might as well appreciate the fact it wasn’t more serious, learn some lessons, and laugh about the whole thing.   Healing is such a wonderful thing.]

There was something bothering me for a while but it worked itself out.   You know the old expression –  “Knock the “$hi7″ out of something?”   Well, I recently experienced just the opposite.  I hit the ground so hard it must have “knocked the “$hi7” back further into me!   I kid you not.  I couldn’t go for three days.  True I wasn’t eating much anyway and sitting was agonizingly painful, but seriously, I still had some prior traffic already in a holding pattern and was anticipating a forthcoming arrival, or rather, delivery.

Unfortunately, when my ass hit that hard ground something “snapped inside” and my body’s Intestinal Motility Union evidently decided to go on strike – because nothing was going to move.   Funny though, just before I was successful for the first time after the accident, there was a bit of sharp internal pain accompanied by an audible “crack”.  I figured it was just something popping back into position naturally.   Yeah, that’s it.  No worries.  Simple realignment.  Everything is just back like it was.   No biggie.  Unless something is misaligned, splintered or fractured; separated pieces of bone…..

I don’t want to do this any more…..New Videos located on top menu bar

My best to you and yours, Lew.

Everything is probably right where it is supposed to be….right?  lol

Categories: Uncategorized.

LDPOA TO IMPOSE FINES ON MEMBERS?

CLICK MENU ITEM “LDPOA TO IMPOSE FINES ON MEMBERS?” (ABOVE)  FOR MORE INFORMATION

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THE MANY FACES OF

APPOINTED LDPOA DIRECTOR

JULIE LIMBOCKER

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TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS POSTED BY THE LIMBOCKERS

A JULIE LIMBOCKER PHOTOGRAPH

88% GPA?
“My prior life experiences included 11 years in law enforcement as a Sheriffs Deputy with a graduation from the police academy at an 88% GPA.” Julie Limbocker, Century 21 M&M Assoc. real estate advertisement.         http://www.realestateagent.com/Julie-Limbocker.html
—Grammar, spelling, and punctuation aside, when someone advertises they are educated and responsible enough to represent the interests of others you might expect they would properly list their own  accomplishments.   Sure hope Julie is more competent in representing real estate clients than she is her own background because ANY STUDENT with a modicum understanding of grades knows GPA stands for GRADE POINT AVERAGE and is not expressed as a percentage.   later, Lew

Categories: Uncategorized.

LDPOA TO IMPOSE FINES ON MEMBERS?

CLICK MENU ITEM “LDPOA TO IMPOSE FINES ON MEMBERS?” (ABOVE)  FOR MORE INFORMATION

**********

THE MANY FACES OF

APPOINTED LDPOA DIRECTOR

JULIE LIMBOCKER

********

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS POSTED BY THE LIMBOCKERS

A JULIE LIMBOCKER PHOTOGRAPH

88% GPA?
“My prior life experiences included 11 years in law enforcement as a Sheriffs Deputy with a graduation from the police academy at an 88% GPA.” Julie Limbocker, Century 21 M&M Assoc. real estate advertisement.         http://www.realestateagent.com/Julie-Limbocker.html
—Grammar, spelling, and punctuation aside, when someone advertises they are educated and responsible enough to represent the interests of others you might expect they would properly list their own  accomplishments.   Sure hope Julie is more competent in representing real estate clients than she is her own background because ANY STUDENT with a modicum understanding of grades knows GPA stands for GRADE POINT AVERAGE and is not expressed as a percentage.   later, Lew

Categories: Uncategorized.

MEET EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES

Interesting how some things appear attractive at first blush but are actually dangerous and destructive.

I have maintained this plant in various water containers for many years because of the beautiful flowers and great amphibian environment. Thought it was just a “water lily” until curiosity prompted a little research as to its true name. Wow, what an education!

Rather than repeating the same 411, here’s some information on Water Hyacinth, or Eichhornia crassipes, in California:

http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/ipcw/pages/detailreport.cfm@usernumber=45&surveynumber=182.php

Needless to say, emptying aquarium plants (and/or animals) in natural water ways is prohibited because of the propensity for non-native species domination and ultimate destruction of the aquatic environment.

I also read Hyacinth is used in the manufacturing of wicker type furniture and as a major compost ingredient.  The reproduction rate of the plant is incredible so periodic removal is helpful in maintaining the pond.

[Stepping on a discarded plant dried in the Sun is like walking on bubble wrap due to the plant’s bulbs “popping” when compressed under foot. Kind of gross when walking in the dark and then feeling a soft “POP” under your foot …….. was that a Tarantula? Yuck!]

ANYWAY, hope you all have a fun filled Safe and Sane Fourth of July absent any negative contact with invasive non-native plants and/or animals.

My best to you and yours, Lew

Categories: Uncategorized.

COMMENT CONCERNING COMET COINCIDENCE

Interesting how life experiences unfold sometimes. A few months ago I was given four fish which were identified as KOI. (Three Orange with white spots and bands and one primarily white.) Unfortunately, one of the orange ones disappeared from the outdoor pond almost immediately but the remaining three proved to be quite prolific producing numerous fry (young fish). When I say numerous I mean hundreds of them! (The parents, and other predators, consume the young ones and thus keep the pond population down.)

I was surfing the internet for images of KOI fry (to rule out the possibility the offspring might be another species previously habituating the pond) when I began to doubt they were KOI at all because they did not have the mustache like “barbels” that KOI do.

INFORMATION ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOLDFISH AND KOI:

http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-koi-and-goldfish/

Later a friend of mine checked with a pet store and was advised they were a specialty bred Goldfish called Fancy Comet. Here’s some 411 on Comet Goldfish:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_(goldfish)

You know, it doesn’t really matter what they are because watching them is rather relaxing.

ANYWAY, no big deal, just thought it peculiar: losing Comet my long time geriatric pet cat then inadvertently ending up with a pond full of Comets.

My best to you and yours, Lew

Categories: Uncategorized.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

“Number three.  Calling number three”

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Yup.  Number three and there will likely be more.  Check out “Third Rattlesnake this season” under NEW VIDEOS.

 

 

My best to  you and yours, Lew

 

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INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION @ 1109hrs

Since I had not checked it out for weeks, I logged on to the NASA Human Space Flight website and discovered I had approximately 10 minutes to set up for a pass of the International Space Station (ISS). The schedule had the ISS for June 18 2013 appearing at 2309hrs, 81 degrees, approaching from 16 above NW and departing 36 above NW for a total observation time of about 1 minute.

After locating the tripod and camera I decided to try several single 4 second exposures because experience had taught me attempting to merely videotape the speck of light would be unsatisfactory. (Leaving the shutter open for an extended exposure creates a better “light trail” of the object making it easier to see.)

Just as I had anticipated, there were 6 images of a short straight line of light (with darkness in between as the ISS moved across the sky while the camera processed the image and the shutter was closed) passing by the bottom of the Big Dipper. The ISS entered my field of vision coming from the direction of Modesto and departed towards Mariposa with the entire process taking under a minute. I snapped another 4 second exposure as soon as the camera had processed the one before. (Sure wish I could find out if it is possible to increase the exposure time or if the equipment is factory set at 4 second exposures.)

ANYWAY, here’s the ISS that passed over tonight along with a couple of photos of the KOI fry that are beginning to show color despite their small size.

ISS 01

ISS 02

ISS 03

ISS 04

ISS 05

ISS 06

Oh yeah, the LDPCSD water board meeting yesterday went very well despite a three director attendance.

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

 

PS:  Here’s the link to that NASA website:    http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=United+States

Categories: Uncategorized.

CARSTENS FIRE REQUIRING MORE ASSETS

Prior to attending the June monthly meeting of the LDPCSD Board of Directors I snapped the below photo.

June 17 2013 1229hrs

Below photo taken across from the LDPCSD on Merced Falls Road.

Across road from the LDPCSD

The below photo was taken on Lazo Way looking east.  Lake McClure is this side of the hills in the center of photograph.

Looking east from Lazo Way in Lake Don Pedro

Below:  Returning home from the meeting I took another shot of the Carstens Fire plume which was spreading north and south.

June 17 2013 1512hrs

FOR BREAKING NEWS ON THE CARSTENS FIRE:

Sierra Sun Times: http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/mariposa-daily-news-2013/154-june/8816-up-dated-news-on-the-carstens-fire-in-mariposa-county

Mariposa Gazette: http://www.mariposagazette.com/

CALFIRE: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current

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To all those affected, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

My best to you and yours,  Lew

 

Categories: Uncategorized.