Storytelling Quilts

 Our Academic overlords not always recognize quilting as an art form. In my opinion, and if it is done right, it is one of the most extraordinary art forms we have combined with craftsmanship to perfection and a history lesson one square at a time. There is a quilt made by a migrant worker telling the story of her family, a Celtic wedding tree quilt from a Scottish immigrant, a Chinese dragon quilt, and Native American motives telling stories of great nations not to be forgotten, and there are the new themes of the younger generation such as a quilt showing comic book hero Superman and buddies. Every quilt has something to tell, a personal point of view stitched into fabric. Go check it out today, free admission and free parking. This is the largest quilt show here in the South County and part of the A Taste of Morgan Hill event currently taking place.

The above two examples are only two of many. The Frozen quilt was definitely the favorite one of my little granddaughter and I promptly got an order from her to make her one for her birthday. The patriotic quilt is part of a fundraiser benefiting veterans.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors!

 Shared Fence Law

Have you ever heard “Good fences make good neighbors?”  Now, adjoining landowners are statutorily equally responsible for shared fences and boundary fences pursuant to California Civil Code Section 841 which took effect January 1, 2014.  Adjoining or contiguous landowners are now faced with a presumption that because they share an equal benefit of a shared or boundary fence that they are equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement of the fence.   Property managers or rental property management companies whose clients’ properties are affected by this new law must be mindful of the change and be aware of the procedural requirements dictated by the state legislature.

Statutory Notice Requirements for Repairing or Replacing Fencing

Landowners, or property managers, who wish to replace an existing common boundary fence, must give each affected adjoining landowner a 30-day prior written notice of any intent to incur costs for a common or boundary fence.   For those who manage properties for clients here is where you need to pay attention.  The statutory ‘Notice of Intent’ must including the following elements:

1)    A notice of the presumption of equal responsibility for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement of the fence;

2)    A description of the nature of the problem with the shared fence;

3)    The proposed solution for the problem fence;

4)    The estimated construction or maintenance costs to address the problem;

5)    The proposed cost sharing approach; and

6)    The proposed timeline for addressing the problem fence.

On a personal note, along with the statutory notice I would include or attach a copy of the law and a reference to the state website, and any other supporting documentation to help facilitate the neighbors understanding that the law has changed.  If they are initially resistant I would also counsel them to review the law, the state website, and any other resource material to help them understand their obligations.

Burden of Proof to Show Inability to Pay is on the Objecting Landowner

A landowner who wishes to repair or replace a fence will have to sue to enforce the statutory presumption if their neighbor objects.  Objecting landowners have a right to contest their new statutory obligations, but the burden of proof is all on them.  An objecting contiguous or adjoining landowner has the burden to overcome the presumption described in the new state law by adequately demonstrating to a court (which means a judge) by a preponderance of the evidence (which means evidence that is slightly greater than evidence against it) that imposing equal or shared responsibility on them would be unjust.  To determine whether equal or shared responsibility for the reasonable costs of common or boundary fence repair or replacement would be unjust, a court will consider the following evidence through testimony and documents:

1)    Whether the financial burden on the objecting landowner is substantially disproportionate to the benefit conferred upon the proponent landowner;

2)    Whether the cost of the new fence would exceed the difference in value of the (burdened owner’s) property before and after it’s installation;

3)    Whether the financial burden to the objecting landowner would impose an undue financial hardship given that party’s financial circumstances as demonstrated by reasonable proof;

4)    The reasonableness of a particular construction or maintenance project, including the extent to which the costs appear to be unnecessary, excessive, or the result of one landowners personal aesthetic, architectural, or other preferences; and

5)    Any other equitable factors appropriate under the circumstances.

Many times the cost of the fencing divided by two or three parties will be low enough to handle these cases in a small claims division of the local superior court house.  If the case is in small claims court attorneys will not be involved so costs for this type of lawsuit will be minimal.  It is paramount that any property management personnel involved with conversations with neighbors relating to these issues be memorializing all conversations including taking notes and sending letters to the neighbors.  An accurate written record of all conversations will help preserve precisely what occurred during the period negotiation between neighbors should something end up in court.

You Need to be an Advocate Selling the New Fence to the Neighbor

When the fencing around the perimeter of your property fails and needs replacement, nine times out of ten cooperation of each neighbor seemingly carries the day and allows for a smooth transaction and replacement of the fence.  However for those occasions when the neighbor objects and does not want to pay or participate in the project please be mindful of the above procedures so that you can help fully and faithfully through these issues.

Prior Existing Law is Repealed

The new law does not apply to a city, county, political subdivision, public body, or public agency.  Prior existing law enacted in 1872 which required a landowner who fully enclosed a property to refund their neighbor a just proportion of the value of a division fence is repealed due to this new law.

Experience How Country Feels: Open House on 5+ Flat Acres in Hollister

You can ride your horse, bring your goat,  drive a buggy or simply take your car, but please don't miss my open house on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday Sept. 21, 1 - 5 PM on this beautiful 5+ flat acres located on a cul-de-sac in Hollister listed below $780,000.  This is how country feels in Northern California!

3bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, wood burning fireplace, bonus room, an artist studio, a built-in pool with separate shower and bathroom, great set up for horses with stable, sand arena, fenced and cross-fenced, pastures, fruit trees, and  a second legally permitted  2bdr/1bath unit to rent out or for in-laws.

                           

Country-style refreshments will be served this time. Line dancing is optional.

See you Saturday or Sunday!

Tea With The Queen at the Northern California Renaissance Faire

The Northern California Renaissance Faire is upon us. Have tea with the Queen, get your Celtic Experience or listen to a Celtic Rock Concert here in Gilroy at Casa De Fruta on Pacheco Pass Hwy.Check out their schedule and different festivities.

Pony Up for Dreams

     Please join us at the ranch!               

Pony Up for Dreams is a very fun friendraiser/fundraiser coming to DreamPower Horsemanship on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 3-7 pm at DreamPower (located at WoodMyst Farm, 7460 Crews Road, Gilroy, CA).  You will enjoy:

• Dinner at the ranch on a beautiful fall evening
• Browsing handmade, homemade and homegrown treasures and treats at the NEW DreamPower Country Store!
• Live bluegrass music from the Just Picked String Band
• Wagon ride ranch tours 
• The Parade of Horses (from big Chief to tiny Trigger you can meet them all)
• The Cowboy/Cowgirl Fun Zone (for children)
• Pumpkin decorating and face painting

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be available at the door. Tickets may be purchased via PayPal or at the ranch.  Purchase tickets here

All veterans of the U.S. armed forces and their immediate family members are invited as DreamPower's guests. Veterans' guest tickets must be reserved in advance by emailing dreampowerhorsemanship@hotmail.com. No guest tickets will be available at the door.

  

   Invite your family, friends and co-workers!               

Come and learn about DreamPower's programs, horses and volunteer opportunities. Please share this email with anyone who would enjoy a beautiful fall day at the ranch and learning more about how DreamPower Horsemanship is helping our community. 

The Zero Lot Herb garden

These beautiful herb pyramids don't need much room and therefore have space on everyone's porch hence even sun room or greenhouse, and will provide you with the vitamins for the upcoming fall season. If you, like me, are into biodynamic gardening, this is the way to go. Don't plant herbs together who "can't smell" each other such as parsley and chives. Plant them apart. Garden lovage goes well with spearmint. Melissa goes with Stevia. Basil and Oregano should be planted apart. Give Rosemary the sunniest spot while dill needs more shade. You will figure out soon the best way to plant. Keep a plant log so that you know next year what worked and what didn't.
 

Open House - Darling Townhouse in Hollister listed below $ 240,000

Open House 

180 Gibson Drive, # 32, 

Saturday, Sept. 13, 1-5 PM 

Please do visit and see that this is the home you have been waiting for, a great ready to move in unit listed under $ 240,000.

All this is in Gibson Station, a gated community, just steps from parks, public transportation, hospital, shopping, freeway access and schools.

This spacious 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath townhouse has a 2 car garage with ample storage in and above the garage accessible through pull-down door.

With a list price below $ 240,000 it is affordable and absolutely spot on for the downsizing couple, a 1st time home buyer, or anyone in between who is looking for a great home to a very affordable price.

Both bedrooms have a full bath, the master bath has a tub/shower over tub and the second spacious bedroom has a shower stall in its own bathroom, which makes this a perfect possibility to rent one bedroom out to help pay the mortgage payment.

I am looking forward to talking to you at my open house, 1-5 PM, Saturday, September 13, and yes, house hunters know that I am the South County Agent with the home made cake. Let's have a piece and a cuppa java while you take your first look at your new home.

Gibson Station is a safe, family friendly, gated community. Please call me at the gate for the access gate code during the open house. The townhouse is located across from the swimming pool. The home is vacant.

A Taste of Morgan Hill

Come on out on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 27, to chat with me in the DreamPower Booth and get to know us. A Taste of Morgan Hill is a fun street festival along Monterey Road with live music, munchies, artsy items, and Dream Power Horsemanship. Looking forward to meeting you! You can find me in the DreamPower Horsemanship booth on Saturday from 2 - 6PM.

Gilroy Spice: The Six Most Significant Changes of the Residentia...

Gilroy Spice: The Six Most Significant Changes of the Residentia...: Just one month shy before its 60th birthday, the California Association of Realtors, C.A.R., will introduce a revised Residential Purchase...

Open House - Morgan Hill Lifestyle at a Reasonable Price

Beautiful 5/3 executive home with good chi and a Feng-Shui friendly layout is waiting to be discovered by you  at my 

Open House

Saturday, September 6, 2-5 PM. 

Enjoy a cuppa java in the gorgeous gourmet kitchen or take a deep breath outside on the patio and experience the serenity of the Morgan Hill foothills in this family-friendly neighborhood. 

Picture yourself celebrating the upcoming holiday season in this entertainer's dream home. 

Discover the charm of  Mira Bella Circle and the Morgan Hill lifestyle.

I am happy to answer any questions and assist to make this homeowner's dream come true for you. 

Call or text me:

408.706.0671