Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance Program

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance program, a cooperative effort to address the needs of the Anderson and Cottonwood communities. Filled with volunteers working on food boxes, and a whole list of other projects including a "Dress and be cool" clothing program for students. Very impressive in this United Way funded agency. Thanks for the great job

www.norcalunitedway.org

ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Shasta Symphony and Chorus to Perform

For those of you that enjoy Classical Music, tonight at Shasta College, the Shasta College Community Orchestra, the Shasta Symphony, and Shasta Chorale join together under Dr. Liz Waterbury to perform the Schubert Mass This is a magnificent work, and very well performed. With noted soloists, this is a wonderful presentation. Starts tonight at 7:30 PM; tickets at the door or on the Shasta College website. Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

People of Progress in Redding...part of the United Way

People of Progress…addressing community needs and part of the United WayEdit
By ronlargent Leave a Comment
Categories: Uncategorized
We are so fortunate to have so many good programs addressing the basic needs of food and housing in Redding, Shasta County, and Northern California. One of these organizations is People of Progress, under the able direction of Melinda Brown. Here is some background on this agency….one of 33 in the United Way of Northern California.

Mission Statement

To strengthen individuals, families and our community with special emphasis on issues that affect low income people.

People of Progress began in 1974 as a food co-op. The first social service program we offered was child care soon followed by a small grant for an education program to increase understanding of and usage of food stamps in three northern counties. One early program was a community farm in French Gulch which led to our two community gardens now in Redding. Our programs have evolved and expanded as we are now one of the major foodbanks and emergency assistance programs in our area. In addition to our own programs, P.O.P. has always been very active in a variety of community issues and opportunities always advocating for healthy thriving inclusive communities for everyone — not just those with comfortable incomes. We have formed collaboratives and committees that specifically and successfully addressed a number of issues resulting in successful programs or program modifications in local government and in other agencies.

OUR GOAL is to serve our community by helping to build individual and community stability and responsibility. Annually, we help over 10% of the entire population of Redding alone who need immediate emergency assistance.

For 30 years we have been devoted to providing food, clothing, shelter, transportation, prescriptions, etc. to people in need. We will serve over 14,000 people this year with over 170,000 meals, 4,000 motel shelter nights, and help over 150 households retain/obtain housing or keep their utilities on. We work closely with other organizations and agencies to link clients with additional programs and services.

We generate much of our funding from our two Thrift Stores. Two state and two federal grants provide funds to purchase food, motel vouchers and rent assistance. A Shasta County CSBG grant and a City of Redding CDBG grant provide partial operation funding for this program. We pick up food donations daily from Food 4 Less. Generous donations from individuals, businesses and churches help support our program and we’re a United Way member agency.

For additional information, you can visit their website at www.peopleofprogress.org

You can learn more about the United Way at www.norcalunitedway.org or www.liveunited.org or call us at 530-241-7521, or e-mail me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Youth Violence Prevention Council and the United Way

Tuesday, at the United Way hosting of the Redding Chamber of Commerce, many of the agencies that are supported by the United Way of Northern California were present to talk about their programs. One of the agencies deals with youth issues in our community, and here is some information on that agency:

Youth Violence Prevention Council
of Shasta County
The Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County (YVPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to prevent youth violence and promote a safe and healthy community. Our Youth Violence Prevention Council Executive Board is comprised of top-flight leaders from a broad cross-section of the business, law enforcement, government, faith, and education sectors of Shasta County.
History
The problem of gang and youth violence rose to national prominence in the 1980’s and found its way to Redding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. According to the Redding Police Department, Redding had 20 violent youth gang-related felonies in 1994. This spurred a county-wide effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. Lead by aggressive law enforcement, cooperation from the schools and community-based organizations and agencies, Redding and Shasta County were able to gain the upper hand.
In response to the youth gang issues in our county, the Youth Violence Prevention Council was created in 1996 and became an integral part of the effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. The thrust of the Youth Violence Prevention Council involves the coordination of primary education on youth issues and youth advocacy, all aimed at keeping our county youth gang free and safe for all citizens, young and older alike.
More information can be obtained on their website www.yvpc.org
The YVPC is one of the 33 agencies served by the United Way of Northern California, and one of the 58 programs funded through United Way in the 8 northern counties of California. Information on the United Way can be seen at www.norcalunitedway.org or at www.liveunited.org

For local information call 530-241-7521 or e-mail ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Youth Violence Prevention Council and the United Way

Tuesday, at the United Way hosting of the Redding Chamber of Commerce, many of the agencies that are supported by the United Way of Northern California were present to talk about their programs. One of the agencies deals with youth issues in our community, and here is some information on that agency:

Youth Violence Prevention Council
of Shasta County

The Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County (YVPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to prevent youth violence and promote a safe and healthy community. Our Youth Violence Prevention Council Executive Board is comprised of top-flight leaders from a broad cross-section of the business, law enforcement, government, faith, and education sectors of Shasta County.
History
The problem of gang and youth violence rose to national prominence in the 1980’s and found its way to Redding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. According to the Redding Police Department, Redding had 20 violent youth gang-related felonies in 1994. This spurred a county-wide effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. Lead by aggressive law enforcement, cooperation from the schools and community-based organizations and agencies, Redding and Shasta County were able to gain the upper hand.
In response to the youth gang issues in our county, the Youth Violence Prevention Council was created in 1996 and became an integral part of the effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. The thrust of the Youth Violence Prevention Council involves the coordination of primary education on youth issues and youth advocacy, all aimed at keeping our county youth gang free and safe for all citizens, young and older alike.
More information can be obtained on their website www.yvpc.org
The YVPC is one of the 33 agencies served by the United Way of Northern California, and one of the 58 programs funded through United Way in the 8 northern counties of California. Information on the United Way can be seen at www.norcalunitedway.org or at www.liveunited.org

For local information call 530-241-7521 or e-mail ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Friday, November 26, 2010

Golden Umbrella in Redding, CA

As part of the United Way of Northern California, Golden Umbrella addresses needs in the community, and they are focused on the needs of our Senior Community. They are doing a great job…and the following is an excerpt from their web page www.goldenumbrella.org

Health, Nutrition, and Our Daily Meals
The health of the Shasta County Senior was of prime concern to us. It was one of the problems to which the advocates gave their close attention.

We had retired registered nurses who volunteered to take blood pressures. In the Fiscal Year 77/78 they took 900 blood pressures. When the first flu shots were first available the Shasta County Health Nurses came to the Golden Umbrella and 297 shots were given.

The Golden Umbrella helped the Nutrition Program get started in Shasta County and also helped it expand. The Nutrition Program under Title VII of the Older American Act is a state funded program under the California Department on Aging. The Golden Umbrella participated in the Nutrition Program from March 1974 to January 1975 until Mercy Hospital became the grantee and sponsor.

I guess you can say Our Daily Meals started on May 17, 1970 when we had the Center Grand Opening. It expanded after the years of the Nutrition Program and had served 9,938 meals in 1978.

This was from their “history page”, and kind of gives us an idea of how they started. Today, Golden Umbrella is a major player in the north state as we address the fact that the senior population is growing each day. The United Way is proud to be associated with this fine organization serving the needs of our community.

www.norcalunitedway.org

www.liveunited.org

ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

530-241-7521

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Ron Largent Assumes Position as President of United Way of Northern California

The United Way of Northern California is a great organization serving 58 agencies throughout the North State. It is a privilege to be associated with this fine organization and I look forward to the challenges facing us as we address the needs of various communities.

Check us out at www.norcalunitedway.org or give me a call at 530-241-7521 or e-mail to ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

We look forward to serving….and thanks to all that have gone on before…your efforts have really paid off.

What Does The United Way Do?

Invest In What Matters. Results Are Measured In Changed Lives.

Today’s United Way focuses on addressing the underlying causes of community issues—why problems exist. United Way supports programs that are not just “stop gap” measures, but ultimately preventative ones that create real and lasting change by improving peoples’ lives. Social issues are not limited to any one particular city or to one kind of family—they are everywhere. That’s why United Way works throughout Northern California to help build stronger communities.See what we are all about at www.norcalunitedway.org


You can be part of this effort by calling us in Redding at 530-241-7521 or e-mailing me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.com

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Local Professor To Have Symphony Performed

REDDING, Calif. – Simpson University announced today its partnership with the North State Symphony, which will be showcasing the world premiere of Dr. Dan Pinkston’s first full symphony—Symphony No. 1. The concert, Aspects of Enchantment, directed by Dr. Kyle Wiley Pickett, will also include excerpts from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Barber’s Violin Concerto.

Tickets are available now for the concert scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Laxson Theatre in Chico and Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Cascade Theatre in Redding. Tickets are $20 – $48 and can be purchased at the Chico box office or by calling 898-6333 or the Redding box office or by calling 243-8877.

“I am very excited to be giving the premiere of Dan’s first symphony” said Kyle Wiley Pickett, conductor of the North State Symphony. “Dan’s music is beautiful, interesting, dramatic and very accessible. I think our audience is going to really enjoy hearing this thrilling new work, written by a composer right here in our community.”

“I purposely chose to have my first symphony be influenced by the works of 20th-century composer, Dmitri Shostakovich” said Pinkston. “His symphonies were well received and enjoyed by average, every day people and not just by the connoisseurs of the music world. My hope is that my music connects with, and appeals to, a broad range of listeners in the community. With the caliber of talent in the North State Symphony, I have no doubt Symphony No. 1 will sound amazing.”

Dr. Pinkston has won many composition awards including the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers award annually from 2001 to 2010. He won the 2000 American Choral Directors Association Composition Contest and his music has been published by several publishers including Warner Bros. Music. Dr. Pinkston and his wife of 16 years, Lori, reside in Anderson with their two daughters.

For more information about the North State Symphony, visit www.northstatesymphony.org. For more information contact the Simpson University music department at 226-4507 or visit www.simpsonu.edu/musicevents.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Foothill Wins Battle with Lassen in high school football






The Friday night Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio AM 1670 at Bill Johnson Stadium in Palo Cedro featuring Foothill High School of Palo Cedro versus Lassen of Susanville lived up to its billing….an outstanding football game between two perennial high school “powerhouses”. Previewed as a battle between the high-powered and varied formation oriented Foothill Cougars and the larger and more run oriented and defensive strengths of the Lassen Grizzlies, the game turned out to be an exhibition by both teams of very well executed offensive plays and defensive stands that made this game one that was not decided until the final 30 seconds, with Foothill winning 14-7. With the explosive running of Foothill running backs Tevin Slaton and Addison Gillam and the ever-present threat of the long pass by QB Zach Ray, it was obvious that a touchdown could come with each play. And, this was the same scenario with Lassen. Outstanding QB Richard Murphy was a constant threat both as a running back and as a very fine passer, and kept the Foothill defenders on constant alert. Murphy found that their new look spread offense was confusing the Cougars defense, and, had it not been for the very football savvy Foothill linebackers, who were literally “all over the field”, this game would have had a much different ending. What prevailed in the final moment was a show of excellent speed by Foothill runner Slaton and receiver John Choate and the passing accuracy of Ray against the very well executed option threat of Lassen’s Richard Murphy and the defensive prowess of Luke Peterson and the Lassen secondary. In the end, an outstanding game, and no doubt both of these teams, if this level of play continues, will be in the North State playoffs. Congratulations to both teams….a very well coached game performed by some outstanding young and talented football players. No one in the audience could question this, and no one left until the final “take a knee” play.

The North State has a lot of very good high school football to offer, and last night all of the local teams were in action. Enterprise HS took on Antelope of Sacramento in their Homecoming Game and, under the leadership of Alex Henderson, got their offensive machine up and running thanks to the short burst running of speedy backs and the option plays of Henderson leading to a 28-14 victory. Coming off a last minute upset loss to West Valley last week, Enterprise re-established themselves as a playoff contending team, as has been the case over many years in the past. West Valley traveled to the coast to take on host Fortuna, but could not withstand the challenge there, losing 13-0. Shasta High traveled to Eureka on the coast and in an offensive shoot out, QB Clay Cavender lead the Wolves to a 48-41 victory, illustrating that they are also going to be a strong team that can go all the way into the playoffs. Local school Central Valley easily got by Oroville 36-6, and Anderson had their way with Las Plumas winning 49-15, telling us that the Anderson Cubs are on their way to re-establishing their role in the north state as a football power.

So, in the next few weeks, if you are a high school football fan…it does not get much better than what you can see here in the Redding, Shasta County, and the North State. The Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio AM 1670 will be announced early in the week, and if you are not able to make one of the games…tune in. (Note: thanks to Andreas Fuhrmann of the Record Searchlight for these great action photos…a real action photo pro)

Monday, September 6, 2010


Sentinel 2010 September

Next Monday at noon we will have the first meeting of the 2010-2011 year for MOAA, at the Country Waffles Restaurant on Athens Ave near OSH Hardware, and all military officers, active, reserve, and retired are invited. MOAA is the nation’s largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization, and the Redding chapter is in a growing mode and recruiting members. This September meeting will feature Shasta County Historian Dottie Smith as she relates the history of our county and the Redding area.

The attached PDF is our monthly Sentinel Newsletter…one of the best information pieces prepared by Bill Nicol. This gives you an idea of what is going on in the MOAA…..and if you are, or were, an officer in any of the military branches, please join us this Monday, September 13th at Country Waffles at noon

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Clay Cavender is ready for High School Game


Clay Cavender is not just the starting quarterback for the Shasta High School football team, he also is the third Cavender to take snaps for the Wolves. The final Cavender brother leads the unbeaten Wolves into Friday’s High School Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio AM 1670. This will be a good game and Clay and team will be up against a good defense in the West Valley “swarm” defense.
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High School Football on Radio This Friday

For all of you high school football fans…it all starts this Friday night…Football under the lights…California style. The Game of the Week will be between Shasta Hi and West Valley Hi, and it should be a good one. I have been at practices for both teams, and they are ready. Listen to us on Fox Sports Radio, AM 1670 starting at 7 PM Friday.

For questions or info on the teams or the games, e-mail me ronlargent@kw.com www.ronlargent.com

Here is the West Valley HS team that will be starting the game…a good looking team….in the Record Searchlight this morning.




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Possibly

Friday, August 27, 2010

"Color" Announcer for the High School Game of the Week

I will be joining Aaron Williams of the Record Searchlight (formerly Sports Editor) on Fox Sports Radio in Redding, CA to broadcast the high school “Game of the Week”. It all starts next week, and I will be doing the “color” portion of the broadcast, which is pretty much everything other than the play calling, which Aaron will do. So, in preparation for knowing a little about each of the teams that we will be covering over the 10 game schedule, I have been visiting each of the team practices….and have visited, although briefly, Shasta High, Enterprise High, and today, Central Valley High. One thing is becoming very obvious…we are in for a good season. These kids are working hard, and looking as if they are really enjoying it, although it has been almost a hundred degrees each day, and some excellent teaching and coaching is going on. All 3 of the head coaches are class guys; are in it for the kids; and are doing a great deal of “teaching’ during the practices. It is very impressive, and we, here in the North State, are very fortunate to have this caliber of quality coaches, and people, working with our high school kids.

So, we are in for a good season…and I am looking forward to doing my part to bring high school sports into the homes of the North State residents….it is AM 1670, KNRO, Fox Sports Radio…and it all starts next Friday, Sept 3rd at 7 PM. Hope you can join us for exciting high school football.

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@yahoo.com

Saturday, August 14, 2010

My Letter to the Editor

In the Editorial earlier this week, the Editor made some comments about City Councilman and current Mayor, Patrick Jones…and this is my reply:

As I read your editorial “Million Dollar Lanterns” a couple of points became clear to me. At the risk of not endorsing one candidate or another, the fact the Patrick Jones is asking the “hard questions” as a current city council member is admirable. And, even though the circumstances for the funding of the Lanterns may not be exactly as was stated by Mr. Jones, the fact of the matter is the City has had been involved in some rather extensive funding of similar projects over the past few years, and these expenditures are seldom questioned by Council. If the staff wants to spend it, it is approved, has been the impression, right or wrong. From man hole covers to Hilltop palm trees, as income from fees and taxes flowed in, it was spent. Like the federal government, if you do not spend what is given to you in a fiscal year, next year that agency will get less to spend.

Things are going to have to change, if we are going to survive in tough economic times, and we have a few years left. Property taxes will be going down, thanks to Prop 13 and follow on Prop 8. Fact. Income to the county will be less, and the flow down income to the City will be less. Fact. If income is not there, expenses will have to be cut. Fact. And, the City Council, whomever it is, is going to be facing this reduction in expenses head on. Some things will have to go…and hopefully it will not be jobs. But streets need to be fixed; the Redding infrastructure is getting old and repairs will have to be made; and the increasing pensions already approved will have to be paid…so how can we even spend a relatively little on “Lanterns” when these hard decisions on funding for the basics of our city government responsibilities must be made.

So, I commend Mr. Jones for making his opinion heard, and I challenge the incoming City Council to heed the warning…the revenue that we have had for a number of years will not be there in the next few years, so look long and hard at the “future lanterns” that will proposed for our beautiful city. Can we afford it…the never ending question?

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Redding California Commercial Real Estate...Problems?

This week we got the word…three of our major shopping and retail centers are going to be either auctioned off for foreclosure, or are scheduled to be foreclosed on shortly. All three centers have, or had, great tenants…and then the market took the nose-dive.

The former Gottschalk center on Hilltop Drive is scheduled for auction on August 20th; the partially filled center on Hilltop that is home to Trader Joe’s is going into foreclosure; and the new complex on Hilltop housing, among other tenants, Chuck E Cheese…is scheduled for foreclosure, or at least that is what we are being told.

In each of these situations, we are told the existing tenants will be able to continue…but in a foreclosure action, leases may become an issue. We hope not, for these are good tenants, and we are just getting real use to having a Trader Joe’s convenient to the North State.

I was asked,”why is this happening”…and no good answer….just that we are in an economic downturn and when business drops off and tenants cannot continue to pay their rents…the lenders still need to be paid. In each of these cases, the lenders, whomever they are, are probably taking pretty good hits, also…for the two newer projects had heavy financing at higher interest rates. These were built when the future of Redding, and California, and the Nation, for that matter….was in a definite growth mode. From a 10% growth to a 2% national growth, things will change dramatically.

Well, keep shopping locally, and hopefully we will not see more of this….it is about all we can do, and then hope for the best. Stay tuned.

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

Monday, May 31, 2010

Flags in Palo Cedro, CA

Palo Cedro Flags....I am proud to be part of the Palo Cedro Post of the American Legion for their flags on display along Deschutes Road. All credit goes to Bob Wagner and the committee for a great job on this. Very impressive in our rural community. Thanks to all of the volunteers that made this happen, and check it out in beautiful Palo Cedro, as you cannot miss the flags.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Housing in Redding CA

About a month ago, as part of my campaign for Shasta County Assessor Recorder, I met for my Editorial Interview with the Record Searchlight paper. As part of my prepared notes for the interview, I made it very clear that we are still in a downturn, and that County offices are going to find that the property tax revenue to the County was going to continue to go down in the next few years. Those of us in the real estate business are well aware of the fact that bank owned properties are increasing, causing home values to fall...which translates to lower comp appraisals...and lower home values.

This week, my prediction, which was treated very "unlikely" then, is coming true. The following is the essence of what was on the front page of the Record Searchlight this week:

Year-over-year home values in the greater Redding area fell for the 13th straight quarter, according to federal figures released Tuesday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency all-transaction house price index showed that values in the region that includes Redding, Anderson and Shasta Lake dropped 12.82 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the same three-month period a year ago.

Values in Redding in the first quarter fell 4.1 percent compared with the previous quarter, and have plunged 16.17 percent over the last five years.

Nationally, home values fell 6.8 percent in the first quarter over the same quarter in 2009, and 1.6 percent compared with the previous quarter, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said.

The index gives estimates for 301 housing markets, tracking data from mortgages used for both home purchases and refinances. Because the source data is different, it provides a similar but distinct picture compared to that offered in the figures from MDA DataQuick.

The Kennewick-Pasco-Richland area of eastern Washington, where home values went up 2.08 percent, topped the nation in appreciation in the first quarter of 2010.

Bend, Ore., held the dubious honor as the fastest-depreciating community as values in central Oregon plummeted 23.03 percent in the first quarter. It was the second consecutive quarter Bend topped the federal index in depreciation.

Year-over-year values in Redding started falling in the first quarter of 2007, when they slipped 1.58 percent, and have declined every quarter since, according to the federal index.

The median sales price for a home in Shasta County in April was $165,000, the sixth straight monthly decline, according to MDA DataQuick.

Redding experienced its greatest annual depreciation in the federal index during the fourth quarter of 2008, when values dropped 14.62 percent.

Foreclosures will continue to put downward pressure on real estate values, Redding realtor Curt Largent said during his weekly radio program last Saturday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency's quarterly index cast the national spotlight on Redding seven years ago as the fastest-appreciating housing market in the nation. Prices in Redding during the first quarter of 2003 jumped 16.3 percent.

Year-over-year appreciation in Redding peaked during the third quarter of 2004 when the federal index reported prices jumped 26 percent.

But in a sign of how crazy the U.S. market was in 2004, Redding couldn't even crack the top 10 with that 26-percent leap. Redding was the 15th fastest-appreciating market that quarter.

Las Vegas (42 percent) ranked first in appreciation in the fall of 2004.

By contrast, values in Las Vegas dived 18.99 percent in the latest index, ranking the gambling capital as the fourth fastest depreciating market in the nation.

So, this said, we are in for a number of years of this market, exactly as I predicted. OVER ASSESSED IS OVER TAXED. Call it what you want, and this is why I am running for office.

www.largent2010.com