Some families living in CHOC housing take advantage of their affordable rent by saving money to purchase their own home. If you’re interested in owning your own home, local agencies have courses and programs to help you become a proud home-owner.

Because the lending and paperwork involved in buying a home is especially daunting for first-time home buyer, the Sacramento Home Loan Counseling Center (HLCC) and the Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) offer homeownership classes. In these classes, you learn how to budget, save money, and purchase a new home, how to contact potential lenders, how to maintain your home, and other useful insights into homeownership. These courses have become so important that many lenders now require a certificate of completion. In CHOC’s own homeownership programs at Mace Ranch, we found that buyers who had completed these courses felt much more knowledgeable about, and therefore more comfortable with, the purchase of their new home. Call HLCC at 916-646-2002 ext 4 to sign up for their class: “The Home Buying Process.” To register for the NHS course, “Fastrack®,” call 916-452-5361.

Some homeownership programs, such as Mercy Housing, ask potential buyers to invest “Sweat Equity” in their future. With Sweat Equity investments future homeowners commit to contribute 40 hours per week toward building their homes or homes of their neighbors. Building of these homes usually takes just under a year. Supervised by a construction manager, buyers learn valuable maintenance skills while framing, painting, or helping wire their home. Most importantly, this investment of time also lowers their purchase price for the home. For instance, sweat equity built homes in Winters which appraise for $170,000 were purchased by the sweat equity investor for $130,000 to $140,000. Contact Mercy Housing at (916) 414-4440 for more information.

Despite the high demand for affordable homes for purchase, the City of Davis has very few programs available at this time. If you would like to see more homeownership opportunities and programs in Davis, you should contact your local city council members and/or the City of Davis Planning & Building Department (530-757-5610) to make your desire known.

Sacramento Home Loan Counseling Center: (916) 464-2002

Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services: (916) 452-5361

Mercy Housing: (916) 414-4440

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency has information about their Down Payment Assistant Programs, Mortgage Credit Certificate Programs, Teacher Home Purchase Program, and a Lender List on their web site at www.shra.org. You may also call (916) 444-9210.

City of Davis Planning and Building Department: (530) 757-5610

Some families living in CHOC housing take advantage of their affordable rent by saving money to purchase their own home. If you’re interested in owning your own home, local agencies have courses and programs to help you become a proud home-owner.

Because the lending and paperwork involved in buying a home is especially daunting for first-time home buyer, the Sacramento Home Loan Counseling Center (HLCC) and the Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) offer homeownership classes. In these classes, you learn how to budget, save money, and purchase a new home, how to contact potential lenders, how to maintain your home, and other useful insights into homeownership. These courses have become so important that many lenders now require a certificate of completion. In CHOC’s own homeownership programs at Mace Ranch, we found that buyers who had completed these courses felt much more knowledgeable about, and therefore more comfortable with, the purchase of their new home. Call HLCC at 916-646-2002 ext 4 to sign up for their class: “The Home Buying Process.” To register for the NHS course, “Fastrack®,” call 916-452-5361.

Some homeownership programs ask potential buyers to invest “Sweat Equity” in their future. With Sweat Equity, or self-help, investments future homeowners commit to contribute 40 hours per week toward building their homes or homes of their neighbors. Building of these homes usually takes just under a year. Supervised by a construction manager, buyers learn valuable maintenance skills while framing, painting, or helping wire their home. Most importantly, this investment of time also lowers their purchase price for the home. The only current self-help home provider is Mercy Housing. Mercy can be reached at (916) 414-4444.

Self-help is a component of the City of Davis’ affordable housing program. It requires all housing developers to designate some of their new single-family homes as affordable self-help lots. CHOC has developed 74 of these affordable homes in Davis.

The City of Davis recently selected 8 buyers for affordable self-help lots. An additional 7 affordable homes will be available later this year. To add your name to this lottery fax or mail your name, address, and phone number to:

Fax: (530) 758-3785

Mail: P.O. Box 406, Davis, CA 95617

If you would like to see more homeownership opportunities in Davis, contact your local City Council and/or the City of Davis Planning & Building Department (530-757-5610) to make your desire known. You can also monitor the City’s Affordable Housing website for future homeownership opportunities (www.city.davis.ca.us/pb/affordable).

Sacramento Home Loan Counseling Center: (916) 464-2002

Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services: (916) 452-5361

Mercy Housing: (916) 414-4440

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency—Down Payment Assistant Programs, Mortgage Credit Certificate Programs, Teacher Home Purchase Program, and a Lender List on their web site at www.shra.org. You may also call (916) 444-9210.

City of Davis Planning and Building: (530) 757-5610

Capitol Opera Sacramento Visit the Capitol Opera Sacramento web page at www.capopera.com to fill out their volunteer questionnaire to let them help you match your time and talents with events that need some extra help.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation With so many events each year, the Sacramento Chapter relies heavily on the time and talents of volunteers in fund-raising efforts. You can help with fund-raising, serve on an event committee, or help on event day. Visit their web page at www.cff.org/Sacramento or call (916) 979-7080 for more information.

American Red Cross Volunteer at your Sacramento Sierra Chapter’s Health and Safety Services Department to help with anything from customer relations to disaster services. Visit their web site at www.sacramento-redcross.org for more information and a complete list of volunteer positions. You may also call their office at (916) 368-3131.

Sacramento Zoo Volunteer at the zoo as an animal care helper, a docent, or a special event assistant. Visit their web page at www.saczoo.com or call (916) 264-7444 if you are over 14 years of age and interested in helping at the Sacramento Zoo.

Loaves & Fishes Contribute your gently used goods, extra money, or time to help those who need assistance. Visit www.sacramento.org/loaves or call (916) 446-0874 for more information.

Every day people are involved in conflicts that end in costly litigation, destroyed relationships, or violence. You can help change the cycle of conflict by volunteering as a community mediator with the Davis Community Mediation Service (CMS).

You will benefit from this mediation skills training program and gain valuable career development experience in the expanding field of mediation. You will receive gratification from knowing you are helping promote the peaceful resolution of conflict in our community.

Volunteer mediators serve as part of a two or three-person panel. Mediators facilitate communication between disputing parties and do not make decisions or judgments about the facts of the case. Issues most frequently handled by CMS include arguments between neighbors, tenant/landowner disputes, customer/merchant disagreements, arguments between co-workers, disputes between friends, roommates and others in a personal relationship. Volunteer mediators are expected to participate actively in a variety of projects and activities including community education and outreach, training, volunteer retention activities, policy setting and goal development.

Training begins February 23, 2002. Registration for training is free and limited to individuals who submit a Volunteer Application and participate in the selection process. Obtain information and application packet at 604 Second Street, Davis. Applications and information are also available on CHOC’s web page at www.chochousing.org/ResResources. Call 757-5623 or email egarcia@ci.davis.ca.us with additional questions about how to become involved with CMS.

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

Source: www.epa.gov

Corinne Baker, student at Woodland High School, and Anne Henry, a student at Yuba College, won the design contest for the New Dimension Corporation’s logo. The final design comes from a combination of Henry’s and Baker’s idea. Baker’s original submission contained the outer section of the logo, with two people holding a house; and Henry’s design was the house with a sun rising within it. Because the judging committee liked elements of each, they asked the students to combine their efforts.

This combination is especially appropriate for New Dimensions corporation because it results from a partnership between CHOC and Yolo Community Care Continuum. The 15 unit complex in Woodland will house low-income chronically mentally ill people when it opens next year.

Get your taxes filed well before April 15th and free yourself from last minute filing headaches. Online income tax filing options make filing your taxes even easier and faster. And, if your adjusted gross income (income after tax deductions) is less than $25,000, you may be able to file for free. Visit the following websites for easy on-line filing.

taxACTonline.com allows you to file your state and federal taxes for $7.95 each. IRS.gov visitors who qualify can also file for free.

Quicken.com/freedom People earning less than $25,000 per year qualify for the Quicken ® TurboTax Freedom Project which allows you to file for free if you submit before April 1st.

Taxcite.com provides tax filing reviewed by a trained tax specialist. When using their 1040EZ form, you pay $29.95 to file your federal return and file your state return for free.

IRS.gov has information about new tax deductions for 2002, TaxTalk, other e-file partners for 2002 and much more. You can also find their information booklet at your local post office.

If you’d like to take advantage of these easy and fast tax filing methods, but do not have access to the internet, contact your Resident Services Coordinator or leave a message in CHOC’s general Resident Services voicemail box at (530) 757-4444 ext. 105 so we can help you find an available connected computer. The Resident Services Program may already have a computer lab set up at your community, or they can direct you to another CHOC community or your local library for free internet access.

Pilar Alonso and Erendida Vasquez, our Resident Services Staff at Casa Del Sol Mobile Home Park in Woodland can help you with your basic income tax return if you:

Have low or fixed income

Are non-English speaking

Are disabled

Are elderly

They will hold office hours at Casa Del Sol and at Windmere Apartments in Davis. Call Ere or Pilar at (530) 406-1759 for more information and exact office hours.

The new year has arrived with two new Davis staff members at CHOC.

Jerry Hill started in January as Community Housing Administrator (CHA) at Fox Creek. Fox Creek residents have enjoyed the management of CHA Kristen Wilcox over the past five years. Though they will miss her, Jerry promises to be a welcome addition to CHOC staff and the Fox Creek community. He has lived at a CHOC-owned Sojourner Truth for four years making him familiar with the workings of the organization and its goals.

Windmere also has a staff change. New Resident Services Coordinator Cyndi Smit Started January 21 at Windmere. She helps residents through rough times, plans resident activities, oversees the computer lab, along with many other activities.

We welcome Cyndi and Jerry to CHOC!

PG&E offers the following tips for energy conservation during cold days.

Set thermostats to 68 degrees F.

Consider Energy Star ® labeled model when purchasing PCs, monitors, printers and other appliances.

Turn off lights in unoccupied areas, and spaces where windows provide sufficient natural lighting.

Ensure doors and windows have tight seals, and keep closed while HVAC system is running.

Open shades and blinds during daylight hours to maximize solar heat gain.

Reduce general overhead lighting and use task lighting.

“Conservation pays every day, every month, every season.”

Since March of 2001, Olympic Cottages resident, Annette Lewis has made an estimated 100 “blankies” for children and elderly in need of warmth and security. A resident of the CHOC-owned senior property since April of 1998, Annette volunteers her time and talents through the Woodland chapter of Project Linus.

Around the time that Annette had difficult adjustments in her own life, she decided to help others through difficult times, “I was kind of in a funk. I am old, and I have several medical problems. I had been active when I lived down in Vacaville, and that kind of got squashed when I was put on the oxygen.”

Annette makes her quilts out of fabric brought to her by Project Linus coordinator Lupe Mendes and other fabric donors. Until recently, Annette made only the top and bottom of the quilts (the fabric parts) and then Lupe took them to another woman for quilting. In the last few months, Annette has begun finishing the quilts herself using a method called “tying.” Tying means attaching top, bottom, and middle padding of the quilt by threading yarn or string through all three layers to anchor the middle, or “batting,” together.

When Annette has quilts finished, Lupe takes them to various organizations, including the Yolo Crisis Nursery. Laura Heintz, program coordinator for the Yolo Crisis Nursery which temporarily houses infant to 5-year-old children of parents in crisis, describes how Annette’s and other volunteers’ quilts are distributed at the Yolo Crisis Nursery, “We have [the children] pick it out when they come into the nursery so they have it while they’re here...and then when they leave, they have [the blanket] to take with them.”

While Annette sews on her twin bed—the only space large enough to lay out the quilts—she imagines what type of child might choose each blankie, “I think about what age child I would like to see get each quilt.”

Though Annette has never seen the children select her blankets, she does know which child went home with her favorite quilt. In late September, in memory of 9-11, Annette made an American Flag quilt with help from one of Lupe’s sons. To thank him for his helpful company, on this and many other quilt projects, Annette presented him with the American Flag quilt; he now counts it as one of his most prized possessions.

Annette made another quilt “to order” for a 9-year-old girl at UC Davis Medical Center suffering from a brain tumor. The child picked out all “bug” fabrics and Annette created a colorful quilt of warmth and comfort for her.

Making over 100 quilts each year, Annette provides many children with beauty, warmth, and security at a time when they need it most. Her generosity is a wonderful gift—to the children comforted by her quilts, and to herself. Annette, we at CHOC salute you!

If you would like to become involved, all you have to do is make a blanket to donate; or, if you don’t have the time or skill to make a blanket, Project Linus is happy to accept donations of fabric, batting, or thread. You may contact the Sacramento Chapter at (916) 366-9186 or visit their website at www.projectlinus.org for more information. Join soon and participate in “Make a Blanket Day” on February 16th when many of the blanketeers gather to help each other finish quilts or afghans. Last year, Annette finished an entire quilt in one day!

A Windmere II resident since the CHOC-owned property opened in 1999, Leslie Hammond has suddenly become famous with television appearances on Channel 10 and Channel 31, feature articles in local newspapers, and cooking demonstration all over town.

What’s all the fuss about? Leslie, an allergy-free food consultant, is sharing knowledge and recipes she’s gathered over a lifetime of living with food allergies. “Parents of kids with food allergies often have to start from scratch—learning what to buy, what to cook, what, if any, restaurants are okay.”

Leslie wants to give parents a head start on coping with food allergies. Often parents complain of having to visit two or three grocery stores—a standard grocery store, a natural foods store, and an Asian market—before they have the right ingredients to even begin preparing a meal for their child with allergies. Because Leslie was once a child with food allergies, and because her three young children now have food allergies, she once had to tour the grocery stores herself. To help simplify caring for her own children’s special food needs, Leslie developed her own easy-to-prepare recipes that also appeal to kids’ sometimes finicky palates.

Deciding to share her knowledge with other parents, Leslie launched her allergy-free consultant business six months ago; and now “it has soared!” She’s discovered a huge need for allergy safe recipes that kids will actually eat. Parents of children with food allergies hire Leslie to come into their home and teach them which convenient grocery store foods are suitable for children with allergies. She’s also working with the staff at Nugget market to develop a list of gluten-free and/or dairy-free foods. “Sharing my knowledge and recipes with families encourages them to include their child in meal times where he may have otherwise been excluded due to his allergy.”

With Leslie’s recipes, parents can make allergy safe muffins or goodies to send to school for their child’s birthday party or a special school celebration. For instance, on February 8th Leslie held a demonstration at Nugget Market to let kids decorate gluten-free Valentine day cookies (and give the recipe to parents).

Her recipes focus primarily on gluten (wheat) allergies, but she also gives modifications of how to make dairy-free meals. Parents rave about her gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate cream puffs!

Leslie is currently compiling her recipes in a cook book which she plans to publish in one to two years. If you would like more information, or if you’re interested in attending or hosting one of Leslie’s cooking demonstrations, call her at (530) 750-2831.

Pancakes are not just for breakfast at our house. This makes a great gluten-free lunch or early dinner with fresh fruit. Make this all pink with frozen strawberries or try your favorite frozen fruit.

In a food processor chop the blueberries and 1 cup of the buttermilk until smooth. Add the remaining cup of buttermilk and the next three ingredients. Process until smooth. Add the last three ingredients and “pulse” 3-4 times.

In a heated skillet, spray with oil and ladle in ½ cup of pancake mixture. After it bubbles, flip it. Cook until golden, repeat. Stack and keep covered.

Makes a great snack on its own! Different frozen fruits can turn this into a fun surprise each time you make it.

In a food processor blend 1½ cups purchased applesauce and ½ cup blueberries.

In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar; bring to boil over medium heat. Stir until thickened into syrup. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, honey, and butter.

Take a pancake and fill with applesauce. Roll, place bottom side down and pour honey syrup over. Garnish with berries.

For dairy free, use my buttermilk substitution: mix together ½ cup soy yogurt, 1½ cups of soy milk, 1 tsp. lemon juice and ½ tsp rice vinegar.

CHOC’s Hotel Woodland is celebrating the true spirit of Valentine’s Day with a whole week of festivities for all residents.

They’ll kick off the week on Monday with cookies and punch. Tuesday brings a sandwich tray and chips donated by Woodland’s Main Street Deli. On Wednesday, the staff continues to appreciate the residents with pizza and drinks donated by Steve’s Pizza Place and Papa Murphy’s Pizza. Thursday, Valentine’s Day, residents will gather to visit and enjoy a decorated cake donated by Timothy’s Bakery. The week of food and friends concludes on Friday with donuts, coffee, and newspapers for all to share.

While sharing all of these goodies throughout the week, Hotel Woodland residents will also visit with neighbors and staff. Hotel Woodland staff, Shari Jones, Jon Carson, Cyndi Smit, Joanne Roeper, and Corrina Dewer, who have coordinated the events also plan to have an open invitation for nearby business owner to come visit with the Hotel Woodland residents and staff.

We at CHOC, and especially Hotel Woodland, would like to extend our thanks to those businesses which donated their goods or money to support this community-building event: Main Street Deli, Flory’s Jewelery, Timothy’s Bakery, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, the Daily Democrat, and Steve’s Place Pizza. Thank you for your generous contributions to help promote community and cooperation at Hotel Woodland, and throughout Downtown Woodland.

Let the spirit of Valentine’s Day live on within us all!

...And They Lived Happily Ever After

Teronda Turner moved into CHOC-owned Danbury Park Apartments six years ago when it first opened. Teronda, a single parent, was working part time, receiving AFDC, and struggling with child care for her one-year old son, Dakarai.

While at Danbury Park, Teronda worked part time at “The Money Store,” advancing to the position of manager. During this time, she also attended classes at American River College. With the help of her education and training at “The Money Store,” Teronda was offered a job as a Quality Specialist at Delta Dental. With money she has saved by living in Danbury’s affordable housing, Teronda has finally realized her dream of purchasing her own home.

In a thank-you letter to CHOC, Teronda writes, “It has been a true blessing to have been a resident at Danbury Park Apartments. My son and I were one of the first tenants to move into the community back in 1995. It is now January 2002 and I have achieved my goal of purchasing a home and I’m now saying good-bye to Danbury after six years. I do want to share that I feel the amount of rent I was being charged played a big part of my accomplishment of being a homeowner. I was able to save money and focus on my career without having to work for more than one job to pay bills. I want to extend a personal thank you to [Danbury Park CHA] Sylvia who has been a tremendous apartment manager and has gone above and beyond her job duties to assist/support me.”

Though CHOC, and especially the Danbury Park staff, will miss her, we’re glad to have helped Teronda. We wish her the best of luck in this new chapter of her life!