Property owners in the Antelope Valley Fire District are assessed an amount on their tax bill each year, to defray the cost of having "first responder" service from our local fire department. Unfortunately, since the Mountain Warfare Training Center's base housing complex in Coleville is government-owned and pays no property taxes, there are no funds collected for serving the 112 residences there. For many months, AVFD has been faced with the dilemma of serving them for no reimbursement, and also with the possibility of not being able to respond adequately to a call at the same time from a Valley resident who pays for the service. During those months, Lincoln Property Management, the operator of base housing, did not feel it an important enough issue to resolve. This could leave the housing residents in danger of a lack of first response fire assistance in case a fire happens there. With the projected fire season for our area, it's not good to even contemplate.
Spelling bee
This Saturday, the California State Spelling Bee for elementary school students will be held in Sonoma County. All of the top three spellers qualifying for Mono County were from Antelope Elementary School - Amanda Clark, Hannah Cain and Jacob Park. We wish our contestants lots of luck in this special competition.
Veterans of Foreign Wars yard sale
You can call Dieter at (530) 495-2149 or Frenchy at (530) 495-2132 to make donations for the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars yard sale, held by Post 3567 at the Walker Mini Mall May 26, 27 and 28.
Photographer alert
On May 29, 2 p.m., the Antelope Valley Artists will be changing their exhibit at the Coleville Library. Their new displays will be photographs of the Antelope Valley or surrounding mountains. Call Nancy at (530) 495-2488 if you would like to submit any photos, or have any questions.
This and that
-- Spring Fling will be this weekend along the highway in Walker. In addition to all the good food and activities, there will be booths for local groups' fundraising. The Relay for Life raffle and information, Friends of the Library book sale, and Women's Club quilt raffle will all be there, as well as a blood drive facility.
-- The Walker Thrift Store and Recycling Center is still looking for people to volunteer a few hours a week. You can contact Mary Jo or Doris at (530) 495-1200 for more information.
-- Our Lady of the Valley Chapel will have a rummage sale and barbecue June 2 at the future church site, 112775 Highway 395 in Coleville. Call Rose at (888) 495-1066 or John at (530) 495-8589 to donate any items.
-- Don't forget that postage for a first-class letter went from 39 to 41 cents this past Monday. You can also buy the "Forever" stamps for 41 cents and use them, even if postage is raised again.
-- Lynne Katusich can be reached at lynnekat@schat.net or (530) 495-2552.
