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COMMUNItY NEWS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2014 9 Neighborly Notes By Bobbie Eckel We have only had one month of 2014 and it seems as though we are rapidly hurtling through the year. February seems to have so many exciting events – both socially and educationally. Watch the calendar carefully so that you do not miss anything. If your Breeze has not arrived by the first of the month, pick up the calendar flyer at the Lodge desk so that you know what is going on each day. District delegate elections are very important in February. In order for all of our votes to count in the Board of Director Elections held in April, each district needs to have a delegate and, hopefully, also an alternate delegate. Be sure to become involved in the process. You might even want to take on the challenge of a Board of Director position. The January/February issue of Westways, a magazine for Auto Club Members, notes a number of new motorist laws which will take effect within the coming year: AB61 allows motorists to park at broken parking meters or payment stations up to the posted time limit without risking a ticket. SB 194 specifically prohibits drivers under age 18 from using any mobile electronic communication device, even the hands- free variety. AB 8 continues several fees that owners now pay when they register their vehicles. This includes $3 for alternative fuel development and deployment, $8 for smog abatement and $2 for local air quality districts to mitigate emissions. These extra fees will continue through 2023. AB 266 and SB 286 extend the time certain clean-air vehicles may use the HOV lanes without meeting the minimum occupancy requirements. However, the bills do not apply to the new Los Angeles Express Lanes on interstate 10 and 110. AB 1371 established the "Three Feet for Safety Act" which requires drivers to allow at least a three-foot space between their vehicles and a bicycle rider when passing. If a three foot minimum is not possible because of traffic or roadway conditions, drivers must slow to a reasonable speed and pass only when it is safe for the cyclist. Minimum fines start at $35 and escalate rapidly when court fees and other fees are added. This law takes effect on Sept. 16. Beginning in January, 2015, the DMV is required to issue driver's licenses to people who are not eligible for a Social Security Number if additional documentation regarding residency and identity is provided. These driver's licenses will not be accepted for official federal identification or other purposes, however. Residents who have ceiling fans might want to consider the tip on lowering your energy costs during the winter. According to the Daily Finance Savings Experiment Group, you can warm up a room by reversing the direction of your ceiling fan. In the summer, the fan should turn counterclockwise so it blows the cool air down from the AC vents. However, in the winter, you want the cooler air pulled up toward the ceiling. This can be easily accomplished by flipping the toggle switch underneath the fan and putting it on a low setting. February conundrum from Maxine: If four out of five people SUFFER from diarrhea… does that mean that one out of five ENJOYS it? Cast and crew are hard at work – oh those lines to memorize! We'll be ready, though, to give you a really enjoyable evening on March 28 or March 29. Remember, tickets go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 18. Tickets are $25, which will include your dinner and our wonderful mystery play. Have your day choice (Friday or Saturday) and meal choices (chicken cordon bleu or medallions of beef) ready when you buy your tickets. Better yet, buy your whole table at once and you get to choose where you will sit. Seating is limited, so you won't be crowded and there will be no bad seats in the house, but come early to get your first choice. Who is the murderer? The cast knows – but we are not telling! ~ Barbara Wasco Murder Mystery Dinner

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