alimur MHP
The Loan and the Member Rent Increase ver 4,
Final 2026-01-26
This is about the park loan That loan requires a higher loan payment starting in ‘26 So this is also about the rent increase we have asked members to pay to cover the increased cost. We’ll talk about;
- The rent increase
- A brief history of the loan
- How the loan works
- Negotiating the promissory note
- Replacing the current loan in ‘29
- Summary
The headline is that we negotiated with Mr Goldstone, and the amount of increase in rents for members (per month), has been reduced from 78 dollars to 45. Notable is that the 45 dollar increase covers the increase for this year and the emergency fund will have to pay very little
The member rent increase will go into effect in May of this year. The increase also pays for Feb, March and April Note that non-member rents increase every year at 3% (or is it 3 5%?) This is automatic and happens every year
- History -
Alimur Park is a “Mutual Benefit Non-profit Corporation”. In essence, that means we don’t pay a private owner or corporation profit, all the money goes to running the park, or is held for emergencies. We pay taxes, follow all local, state and federal laws, as well as our charter (by-laws), and our own park rules We, the members, own and run Alimur Park
We bought Alimur Park from the previous owner, Paul Goldstone in 2016. It was a very exciting time and emotions ran high We were not able to get financing from a commercial bank, and so we borrowed 10 million dollars from Mr Goldstone
Clay Butler made our purchase of the park happen He is a hero to everyone in this park, whether they understand it or not. He was the primary mover in making this park what it is, sheltered from the demands of profit
- How the loan works -
Here are the basic points (Please note that after 10 years, some of these points change ‘26 is our 11th year of the loan.);
- The loan amount was 10 million dollars As of 2026, we still owe about 8,886,000 00
- The loan interest rate was 5.3% (one of the things that changes after 10 years).
- The amortization schedule was for 30 years (another thing that changes after 10 years)
- The loan must be paid in full after 15 years, or by Jan. 4th, 2031.
- There is a “lockout” period of 13 years from the start of the loan This means we are “locked out” from paying off the loan before 13 years have passed (Although, Mr. Goldstone may agree to end the lockout anytime.).
- The first 3 years of the loan were interest only
- We had no member rent increases for…3 years? 4?
- The monthly payment on this debt was 55,600 a month It is by far our largest monthly expense
- Escrow for our purchase of the park closed Jan. 4th, 2016 and our first monthly payment went out in Feb of that year
- The Changes to the Loan After 10 Years -
After 10 years, the loan changes. In essence, the loan is redone, with key provisions changed to give the lender more money per month Here are the essential changes;
- The amortization schedule changes from 30 years to 20 years.
- Each year, the amortization schedule is recalculated, shrinking by one year each year
- Each year, the interest rate is recalculated until the loan is paid off
What the shrinking the amortization schedule means:
This causes the loan payment to become higher. We have the same amount of money to pay back, but the payment schedule is calculated with less time to do it, so the payments go up Going from a 30 to 20 year amortization schedule is a pretty big hit for us. It does mean the loan is paid off slightly faster
Here is how the new interest rate is calculated each year;
- In December of each year, look to see what the 10 year US treasury bond yield is for that year In ‘25, that was 4%.
- Add 3%
- So 7% would be our new loan interest rate. HOWEVER. Each year, the interest rate cannot increase more than 1%
Our interest rate WAS 5.3%. In Dec. of ‘25, the 10 year US Treasury bond yield was 4%, plus 3%, this means our interest rate went to 7% HOWEVER, the interest rate cannot increase more than 1%
Since 10 years have passed since we got the loan, this year, 2026, we went from a 30 year amortization to a 20 year amortization and our interest rate went from 5 3% to 6 3%
That amounts to about 9,600 dollars more a month, or about 78 dollars per month, per member, for the first year. We cannot know what the 10 year US Treasury yield will be in ‘27 and ‘28, but assuming a 1% increase each year and the amortization schedule shrink it’s about another 5k a year added to our monthly payment, or about a 42 dollar per member per month increase each year. That all adds up to 162 dollars per month, per member after 3 years. It’s a lot.
- Negotiation -
We were able to negotiate with Mr Goldstone The nut of it is that the amortization schedule goes from 30 years to 24 years in ‘26, instead of 30 years to 20 years in ‘26. It decreases, as before, each year, a 23 year amortization schedule in ‘27, a 22 year amortization schedule in ‘28 and so on
The interest rate calculations remain the same
These negotiations mean the monthly mortgage payment increase in ‘26 is about 4100 dollars not 9,600
So the May increase we are asking for goes from 78 dollars down to 45 dollars, and very little money will need to be spent from the emergency fund
As you will recall, the emergency fund was to be used to bring the monthly member rent increase in ‘26 down from 78 to 54 dollars. This would have meant about an 80,000 dollar loss from the emergency fund over three years. This is no longer needed and the monthly rent increase is reduced
- A New Loan in ‘29 -
The loan we have with Mr. Goldstone is not a typical commercial bank loan, we took it because we had little choice in lenders back when we bought the park The 10 year provisions in particular are painful
After 13 years, in 2029, the lockout period ends, and we can get a NEW loan and pay off Mr Goldstone. We have spent a good deal of time looking into paying off this loan as soon as possible
This new loan, which would pay off the Goldstone loan, will very likely be a private, but government backed loan by Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac, or an HUD loan These loans have much better terms For example, there would very likely be an unchangeable 30 or 40 year amortization schedule, and we would have an interest rate that cannot change, unless rates go down, at which point, we would have the option to renew the loan at the lesser interest rate
With this new loan, it is likely that we would be able to reduce monthly payments. This is NOT a promise! We would love to tell you we will definitely be able to do it, but our experience has
been that things change as life goes on, and we don’t know what the economy, inflation, interest rates and so on will be in ‘29. We will do our best, we have to pay the rent here too.
- Summary -
Our current loan costs are going up After negotiations, the amount of increase has been reduced. As a result, our emergency fund is not being tapped as much, and rent increases are less The increase will be 45 dollars starting in May of this year
In part, successful negotiation happened because you have all paid increased rents and tolerated emergency repairs only This has meant our revenues have approached what our expenses are This responsible behavior toward our finances was a part of convincing Mr Goldstone that he was negotiating with serious people, who take care of their business.
While giving thanks, I want to mention Adam Evans who did the heart of the negotiation for us. He really came through for us
Lastly, our kind of park means a profit is not paid to anyone (excepting our lenders!). It means the decisions about finances are made by people who live here and pay rents, not a national corporation or private owner This is a significant advantage for us The only difference between us and parks with super low rents, is the loan payments we make to our lender, without this, we would have these low rents also
Someday, there will be no loan with this park at all. We are planting a tree that will result in shade for us and those that inherit our property It is good work to do, and you can all be proud of what we are accomplishing. Thanks so much for all your patience and attention.
For those members that would like to see the purchase and sale documents, which include the Promissory Note, the Park Manager has them available upon request.
As usual, feel free to contact me if you have questions
Timothy Norton
space 103
alexander2k@gmail.com
Call or text, 831-295-4102
APHOA minutes
The approved APHOA minutes are available upon request in the Park Manager’s office. The financials for the park are there as well. When you see the APHOA Minutes in the Newsletter or on the Alimur FB community they are UNOFFICIAL and subject to revision. They are posted as a courtesy in order to keep everyone informed. The minutes from the previous month are always approved at the next meeting.
We welcome all residents to our monthly meetings. Beginning on May 1st, 2025 they will take place at the clubhouse on the first Tuesday of every month, at 5 PM.
Red Flag Notification Service Sign Up
The Red Flag notification service will advise of a planned outage in the park. It can send messages to your phone, send you an email or send a call to a land line. It will do any one of these or all three. Please sign up for this important service. There is information later in this newsletter with instructions, or you can stop by the office. Our park manager will help you sign up. It’s easy! NOTE! The Red Flag service CANNOT send notice of an unplanned outage. But it will send out a notice as soon as the situation has been assessed.
Volunteers Always Needed!
If you have the time to help, or an idea about what might be done, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Rickie Crane. That’s me! All projects must be discussed with me before any work is done. It is not allowed for folks to do work on common areas without permission! The volunteer jobs are unpaid, like being on the Board. The park will pay for any necessary supplies required, after approval. Rebecca Cope is volunteering to translate the minutes to Spanish for us. Current distributors of the monthly Newsletter:
Rebecca and James
Lori
Laura
Many thanks to all of our volunteers!!
Anyone who is interested in volunteering please contact me. Text or call me at (831) 479-4921. Please identify yourself if you text. Name and Spc #.
Bulletin Board for Park Residents with a Business or Service
We have a listing of services available from folks who live in the park in this very newsletter. Handy folks, artists, computer services, what have you. So if you need some work done, why not hire your neighbor? The page with the listing is later in the newsletter.
Reminders to all the residents:
Don’t let your pet out without you and a leash.
Don’t let your pet use your neighbor’s yard as a bathroom. Please slow down. There are children and pets in the park.
Rickie Crane(831) 479-4921 rickiescrz@comcast.net
ASOCIACIÓN DE PROPIETARIOS DE VIVIENDAS DE ALIMUR PARK
ACTA
Reunión de la Junta Directiva
03/02/2026, 17:00 h, Casa Club
Inicio de la Reunión Ordinaria: 17:02 h
Timothy Norton, Presidente
Lista: Timothy Norton, Presidente
Miembros de la Junta Presentes:
Rickie Crane, Vicepresidente / Mike Pisano, Sargento de Armas / Timothy Norton, Presidente
Secretario interino: Tim Norton y Dana Schlagheck
Ausentes: Dana Schlagheck, Tesorera
Aprobación delActa: Reunión Ordinaria de Enero
Moción: Rickie Crane
Secundada: Mike Pisano
Votos a favor/en contra: 3/0 Aprobado
Comentarios de los Residentes: Ninguno
Nuevos Asuntos:
1) 2) 3) 4) ¿Deberíamos votar para ajustar el Portal de Pago para Residentes para que los residentes puedan pagar directamente desde sus cuentas bancarias? Actualmente, pagar con una cuenta bancaria cuesta más de 20 dólares a los usuarios (dependiendo de la factura). Cada uso le costaría a APHOA un dólar y cinco centavos; ya pagamos una cuota mensual de 4.95.
La junta directiva aún está dividida sobre los costos. Pagarcon una tarjeta de crédito cuesta más de 20 dólares por miembro; podemos aprobar transferencias con elportal a un costo de 1.05 dólares por transferencia; esto podría representar un costo total de 150 dólares al mes. Algunos consideran que es una buena inversión, otros que es demasiado. Timothy analizará el uso con un costo de 20 dólares por usar una tarjeta de crédito y lo revisaremos elpróximo mes. Revisar posibles obras viales para 2026.
Timothy supervisará las obras viales y las presentará a Risha para que las licite.
Votar para aumentar las cuotas de los miembros en 45 dólaresen mayo de 2026 para cubrir elaumento en el pago del préstamo del parque. Moción para aprobar: Timothy, Secundado: Mike, Voto: 3/0 para aprobar el aumento.
Licitación de CoastalEvergreen Landscaper para reemplazar elmuro de contención y las plantas después de las obras de alcantarillado:
Moción para aprobar: Timothy,Secundado: Ricke, Voto: 3/0 para aprobar la licitación.
Asuntos pendientes:
1. Pintura de la línea del parque: El tema se pospone hasta la primavera de 2026. Mike declaró que ha investigado y encontrado ocho empresas más con las que se pondrá en contacto cuando estemos listos para comenzar.
Mike intentará que Risha obtenga ofertas para las obras de la línea que necesitamos para este año antes de la reunión de abril para que podamos votarlas.
2. Renovación del contrato de alquiler con opción a compra (FTB).
Hemos recibido acuse de recibo de la documentación y estamos esperando una respuesta.
3. Puerta en Soquel Gardens: No hay información nueva. Estamos esperando lla respuesta de los abogados. A instancias de los residentes, solicitaremos a nuestro abogado que obtenga un cronograma del abogado de Albertson sobre cuándo pueden obtener la aprobación de sus jefes para actuar.
4. Edificios de almacenamiento propuestos detrás de la piscina.
Esto está evolucionando. Mike recibirá de HDel presupuesto para un espacio de almacenamiento de 60 pies cuadrados. Necesitaríamos limpiar el área e instalar luz solar tanto en el exteriorcomo en el interior de los espacios de almacenamiento. Se sugirió instalar una, a ver qué tal funciona. También se sugirió convertirlo en una cancha de tejo, una cancha de baloncesto u otro uso recreativo.
5. Solicitud de DFPI.
Tenemos nuestro permiso vigente para vender acciones por un año más.
6. Elecciones.
Según las reglas del parque, con solo dos nominados para 3 escaños, se presume que ganarán las elecciones.
Esos dos nominados fueron Dana y Mike, y por lo tanto, fueron elegidos por otros 2 años.
El próximo año, 2 de los 5 escaños se someterán a elecciones. Se levantó la sesión a las 6:30 PM.
Timothy Norton, Secretario Interino
El Préstamo y el Aumento de Alquiler para Socios, versión 4, Final 2026-01-26
Se trata del préstamo para parques. Dicho préstamo requiere un pago mayor a partir del2026. Por lo tanto, también se trata del aumento de alquiler que hemos solicitado a los socios para cubrir el aumento del costo. Hablaremos de:
- El aumento de alquiler
- Una breve historia del préstamo
- Cómo funciona elpréstamo
- Negociación del pagaré
- Reemplazo del préstamo actual en el 2029
- Resumen
El tema principal es que negociamos con el Sr. Goldstone y elaumento de alquiler mensual para los socios se ha reducido de 78 dólares a 45. Cabe destacar que el aumento de 45 dólares cubre el aumento de este año y el fondo de emergencia tendrá que pagar muy poco.
El aumento de alquiler para socios entrará en vigor en mayo deeste año. El aumento también cubre febrero, marzo y abril. Tenga en cuenta que los alquileres para quienes no son sociosaumentan un 3% cada año (¿oes un 3,5%?). Esto es automático y ocurre todos los años.
- Historia -
El Parque Alimur es una "Corporación sin fines de lucro de beneficio mutuo". En esencia, esto significa que no pagamos ganancias a propietarios privados nicorporaciones; todo el dinero se destina a la gestión delparque o se reserva para emergencias. Pagamos impuestos, cumplimos con todas las leyes locales, estatales y federales, así como con nuestros estatutos y las normas del parque. Nosotros, los socios, somos propietarios y gestionamos el Parque Alimur. Compramos elParque Alimur al anterior propietario, Paul Goldstone, en 2016. Fue una época muy emocionante y la emoción estaba a flor de piel. No pudimos obtener financiaciónde un banco comercial, así que le pedimos un préstamo de 10 millones de dólares alSr. Goldstone. Clay Butler hizo posible la compra del parque. Es un héroe para todos en este parque, lo entiendan o no. Élfue elprincipal impulsorde la creación de este parque, protegido de las exigencias del lucro.
- Cómo funciona elpréstamoAquí están los puntos básicos (Tenga en cuenta que después de 10 años, algunos de estos puntos cambian. Elaño 2026 es nuestro undécimo año de préstamo):
- El monto del préstamo fue de 10 millones de dólares. A partir de 2026, aún debemos aproximadamente 8.886.000,00.
- La tasa de interés del préstamo fue del5,3 %(uno de los factores que cambia después de 10años).
- El calendario de amortización fue de 30 años (otro factor que cambia después de 10 años).
- El préstamo debe pagarse ensu totalidad después de 15 años, o antes del 4 de enero de 2031.
- Hay un período de "bloqueo" de 13 años desde elinicio del préstamo. Esto significa que no podemos pagar el préstamo antes de que transcurran 13 años (aunque el Sr. Goldstone podría acordar levantar el bloqueo en cualquier momento).
- Los primeros 3 años del préstamo fueron solo de intereses.
- No tuvimos aumentos de alquiler para los miembros durante... ¿3 años? ¿4?
- El pago mensual de esta deuda era de 55,600 al mes. Es, por mucho, nuestro mayor gasto mensual.
- El depósito en garantía para la compra del parque cerró el 4 de enero de 2016 y nuestro primer pago mensual se realizó en febrero de ese año.
- Los cambios al préstamo después de 10 añosDespués de 10 años, el préstamo cambia. En esencia, se reestructura elpréstamo, modificando las disposiciones clave para otorgarle al prestamista más dinero al mes. Estos son los cambios esenciales:
- El calendario de amortización cambia de 30 a 20 años.
- Cada año, el calendario de amortización se recalcula, reduciéndose un año cada año. Cada año, la tasa de interés se recalcula hasta que se liquida elpréstamo.
Qué significa la reducción del calendario de amortización: Esto hace que el pago del préstamo aumente. Tenemos la misma cantidad de dinero que devolver, pero el calendario de pagos se calcula con menos tiempo, por lo que los pagos aumentan.
Pasar de un calendario de amortización de 30 a 20 años es un gran golpe para nosotros. Significa que el préstamo se liquida un poco más rápido.
Así se calcula la nueva tasa de interés cada año:
En diciembre de cada año, observe cuál es el rendimiento de los bonos del Tesoro estadounidense a 10 años para ese año.
En 2025, era del 4 %. Agregue un 3 %.
Por lo tanto, el 7 % sería nuestra nueva tasa de interés del préstamo. SIN EMBARGO, cada año, la tasa de interés no puede aumentar más del 1 %.
Nuestra tasa de interés ERA del5,3 %. En diciembre de 2025, el rendimiento de los bonos del Tesoro estadounidense a 10 años era del 4%, más un 3%, lo que significa que nuestra tasa de interés subió al7%. SIN EMBARGO, la tasa de interés no puede aumentar más del 1%.
Como han pasado 10 años desde que obtuvimos el préstamo,este año, 2026, pasamos de una amortización a 30 años a una a 20 años y nuestra tasa de interés pasó del5,3% al 6,3%.
Eso equivale a unos 9600 dólares más al mes, o unos 78 dólares al mes por miembro, durante el primer año. No podemos saber cuál será el rendimiento de los bonos del Tesoro estadounidense a 10 años en 2027 y 2028, pero suponiendo un aumento del 1% cada año y una reducción del calendario de amortización, se trata de unos 5000 dólares adicionales al año a nuestro pago mensual, o un aumento de unos 42 dólares al mes por miembro. Todo esto suma 162 dólares al mes por miembro después de 3 años. Es mucho.
- Negociación -
Logramos negociar con el Sr. Goldstone. El quid de la cuestiónes que elplan de amortización pasa de 30 a 24 años en 2026, en lugar de 30 a 20 años en 2026. Disminuye, como antes, cada año: un plan de amortización de 23 años en 2027, uno de 22 años en 2028, y así sucesivamente.
Los cálculos de la tasa de interés se mantienen.
Estas negociaciones implican que elaumento mensual de la cuota hipotecaria en 2026 será de aproximadamente 4100 dólares, no de 9600.
Por lo tanto, el aumento de mayo que solicitamos pasa de 78 dólares a 45 dólares, y se necesitará muy poco dinero del fondo de emergencia.
Como recordarán, elfondo de emergencia se iba a utilizar para reducir el aumento mensual de la renta de los miembros en 2026 de 78 a 54 dólares. Esto habría supuesto una pérdida de aproximadamente 80 000 dólares del fondo de emergencia en tres años. Esto ya no es necesario y el aumento mensual del alquiler se reduce.
- Un nuevo préstamo en 2029 -
El préstamo que tenemos con el Sr. Goldstone no es un préstamo bancario comercial típico; lo solicitamos porque teníamos pocas opciones de prestamistas cuando compramos elparque.Las cláusulas de 10 años, en particular, son dolorosas. Después de 13 años, en 2029, finaliza el período de cierre patronal y podemos obtener un nuevo préstamo y pagarle al Sr. Goldstone. Hemos dedicado mucho tiempo a analizar cómo pagar este préstamo lo antes posible.
Este nuevo préstamo, que saldaría el préstamo de Goldstone, probablemente será un préstamoprivado, pero respaldado por el gobierno, por Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac o un préstamo del HUD. Estos préstamos tienen condiciones mucho mejores. Por ejemplo, es muy probable que haya un plan de amortización inalterable de 30 o 40 años, ytendríamos una tasa de interés que no cambiaría a menos que las tasas bajen, en cuyo caso tendríamos la opción de renovar el préstamo a la tasa de interés más baja.
Con este nuevo préstamo, es probable que podamos reducir los pagos mensuales. ¡Esto NO es una promesa! Nos encantaría decirles que definitivamente podremos hacerlo, pero... nuestra experiencia nos ha enseñado que las cosas cambian con el paso de la vida, y no sabemos cómo estarán laeconomía, la inflación, las tasas de interés, etc., en 2029. Haremos todo lo posible, pero también tenemos que pagar el alquiler.
- Resumen -
Nuestros costos actuales delpréstamo están subiendo. Tras las negociaciones, elaumento se ha reducido. Como resultado, nuestro fondo de emergencia no se está utilizando tanto y los aumentos de alquiler son menores. El aumento será de 45 dólares a partir de mayo de este año. En parte, el éxito de la negociación se debió aque todos ustedes pagaron aumentos en los alquileres y solo toleraron reparaciones de emergencia. Esto ha significado que nuestros ingresos se han acercado a nuestros gastos. Este comportamiento responsablecon nuestras finanzas fue parte de convencer al Sr. Goldstone de que estaba negociando con personas serias, que cuidan sus asuntos.
Al dar las gracias, quiero mencionar a AdamEvans, quien fue la clave de la negociación por nosotros.
Realmente cumplió con su parte.
Por último, nuestro tipo de parque significa que no se pagan ganancias a nadie (¡excepto a nuestros prestamistas!).
Significa que las decisiones financieras las toman las personas que viven aquí y pagan alquileres, no una corporación nacional niun propietario privado. Esta es una ventaja significativa para nosotros. La única diferencia entre nosotros y los parques con alquileres muy bajos son los pagos de los préstamos que realizamos a nuestro prestamista; sin esto, también tendríamos estos alquileres bajos.
Algún día, este parque dejará de tener préstamos. Estamos plantando un árbol que nos dará sombra a nosotros y a quienes hereden nuestra propiedad. Es un buen trabajo, y todos pueden estar orgullosos de lo que estamos logrando.
Muchas gracias por su paciencia y atención.
Para aquellos miembros que deseen ver los documentos de compraventa, que incluyen el pagaré, el administradordel parque los tiene disponibles si los solicitan.
Como siempre, no duden en contactarme sitienen alguna pregunta.
Timothy Norton espacio 103 alexander2k@gmail.com
Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 831-295-4102
BULLETIN BOARD
SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS
Norton Enterprises - Timothy Norton Computer Support, New computers, Upgrades and Repairs – Home Internet, Networking, Email, Computer Repair, General Trouble Shooting and Advice. “It’s not a problem, it’s a feature!” 831-295-4102 / alexander2k@gmail.com / space 103
New Moon Landscaping - Nancy Ramie Garden Design and installation, Plant small trees, Condition soil/identify diseases, Prune plants and trees, Walkways and small patios, Indoor water gardens and hanging plants.
Window Cleaning
Let me get your windows sparking clean for the holidays. I use a steam cleaner. No streaks or smudges.
Gutters
Get ready for the next stormy season by letting me clean your gutters and flush your downspouts.
House Cleaning
House Cleaning Services. I can do your dirty work, either once or on a regular basis. I also do errands and dog walking. Call me for a free estimate. Looking forward to hearing from you. nancyramie@gmail.com / 831-266-9587.
Realtor-Lynette Del Ponte Montalvo Realty Cell 831.201.8024
lynette@montalvorealty.com www.lynettefinehomes.com DRE# 02169115
Realtor-Risha Eryavec Main Street Realtors Cell: 831.241.2352 Office: 831.462.4000
risha@maintreetrealtors.com DRE# 02247398
LET ME LIST YOUR BUSINESS or Misc. INFO HERE. You must live in Alimur Park! Contact me, Rickie Crane, rickiescrz@comcast.net (831) 479-4921 Spc. 101A
INTRODUCING REDFLAG NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
REDFLAG IS USED TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS, KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE AND UP-TO-DATE.
We’ll use RedFlag to send out emergency information.
You may receive a RedFlag alert about severe weather, closures, power outage, etc. as well as any other event that would impact our community.
Whatever we need to communicate, RedFlag is the single system we will use to help get the word out.
ABOUT REDFLAG NOTIFICATIONS
• You can receive RedFlag notifications via text message, email or phone call.
• Text messages will be from 444222 Emails will be from admin2@evans-management.com Phone calls will be from 831-475-0335-834-1881
• Messages will be filtered based on your subscriber information, so you only receive messages or information that is relevant to you.
HOW TO ENROLL TO RECEIVE REDFLAG MESSAGES
Natural disaster & severe weather
to register or access your profile information.
System outages or updates
Building & area-wide infrastructure issues
Office closings & modified business hours
Criminal activity active shooter, robbery/theft, child abduction
Get the right message to the right people at the right time.
Mean Words Tax Reducers
AWFUL CHEAP CRUDDY DESPICABLE DIRTY
EVIL
FOUL GROSS GRUBBY HIDEOUS HURTING LAME LOATHSOME LOUSY MALEVOLENT MEAN
NOISOME NOXIOUS OBSCENE ODIOUS PALTRY
PITIFUL RANCID RATTY SCABBY SCANDALOUS SCUMMY SCURVY SORRY UGLY VICIOUS
Across 1.Holiday mo.
4.Grave marker
9.Formal vote
10.Coil
11.Antiquity, in antiquity
12.Poets’ feet
13.Mrs. Butterworth’s and maple
15.Peruvian terrorist group in the 60s, for short
16.Host
18.Part of ‘to be’
20.Robin’s partner
23.Gain knowledge
25.U.N. workers’ grp.
26.TV, radio, etc.
27.Mary’s boss on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”
28.Cheers
29.Dusk, to Donne
Down
1.Salon supplies
2.Hard to grasp
3.Close-knit group
4.Suez, for one
5.Afternoon service
6.“A Nightmare on __
Street”
7.Ad __
8.Branch angle
14.Central Italian region
17.“South Pacific” hero
18.Charity
19.Docile
21.Balm ingredient
22.It may be proper
24.Big fuss
The title is a clue to the
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
March Sudoku
How to solve sudoku puzzles
No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.
Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only
appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.
TRIVIA TEASER
Midnights and Noons
1."Round About Midnight" is widely recognized as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time.The album was released in 1957 by what jazz trumpeter? a-Miles Davis, b-Johnny Parker, c-Neal Hefti, dArturo Sandoval.
2.What comedian often joked about his failed film career, especially belittling his work in the movie The Horn Blows at Midnight? a-Bob Hope, b-George Burns, c-Johnny Carson, d-Jack Benny.
3.Which U.S. state is nicknamed "Land of the Midnight Sun"? a-Hawaii, b-Montana, c-Maine, d-Alaska.
4.Which poet wrote the famous lines "Listen, my children, and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere"? a-Emily Dickinson, b-Walt Whitman, cJames Russell Lowell, d-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
5. The 1977 book and 1978 film Midnight Express told of the experiences of Billy Hayes while he was imprisoned for drug smuggling in which country? a-Thailand, b-Venezuela, c-Turkey, d-Mexico.
6. Who played Amy, the new Quaker wife of Marshall Will Kane, in the 1952 movie western High Noon? a-Jean Simmons, b-Grace Kelly, c-Barbara Rush, d-Janet Leigh.
7.Strikes of a ship's bell are used to indicate the hour aboard a ship and regulate the sailors' duty watches. How many bells are sounded at noon? a-3, b-6, c-8, d-12.
8. Which U.S. state was opened to white settlement at noon on April 22, 1889 by the Land Run of 1889? a-Oklahoma, b-Nebraska, c-Kentucky, d-Kansas.
9.Midnight blue has been an official Crayola color since 1958. Prior to 1958, the same color went by what other name? a-Persian blue, b-Prussian blue, c-Powder blue, d-Columbia blue.
10. Midnight Cowboy won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1970 and a Best Director Oscar for whom? a-John Schlesinger, bStanley Kubrick, c-John Frankenheimer, d-Robert Altman.
QUOTES
When you develop yourself to the point where your belief in yourself is so strong that you know you can accomplish anything you put yourself into, your future will be unlimited.
Brian Tracy
Living consciously involves being genuine. It involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly. It involves being in the moment.
Sidney Poitier
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
Joseph Addison
It's been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.
Henry Ford
Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.
Coco Chanel
Our personal consumer choices have ecological, social and spiritual consequences. It is time to re-examine some of the deeply held notions that underlie our lifestyles.
David Suzuki
People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily.
Zig Ziglar
Everyone is a genius in a bull market. Mark Cuban
The Lighter Side 25 Gallons of Milk
An attractive blonde heard that milk baths would make her beautiful. She went to the grocery store and asked the manager to find 25 gallons of whole milk.
The manager felt there must be a mistake, "You mean 2.5 gallons of whole milk?"
The blonde replied, "No, I want 25 gallons. I'm going to fill my bathtub and take a milk bath so I can look young and beautiful again."
"OK," he said, "But do you want it pasteurized?"
"No, just up to my neck. I can splash it on my eyes."
The Sign
A boss was complaining in a staff meeting the other day that he wasn't getting any respect. Later that morning he went to a local sign shop and bought a small sign that read, "I'm the Boss". He then taped it to his office door.
Later that day when he returned from lunch, he found that someone had taped a note to the sign that said. "Your wife called, she wants her sign back!"
High Blood Pressure
When a physician remarked on a new patient's extraordinarily ruddy complexion, he said, "High blood pressure, Doc. It comes from my family."
"Your mother's side or your father's?" the doctor asked.
"Neither, it's from my wife's family."
"Oh, come now," the doctor said. "How could high blood pressure come from your wife's family?"
The man sighed. "You oughta meet 'em sometime, Doc!"
Trivia answers
1-a, Miles Davis
2-d, Jack Benny
3-d, Alaska
4-d, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
5-c, Turkey
6-b, Grace Kelly
7-c, 8
8-a, Oklahoma
9-b, Prussian blue
10-a, John Schlesinger
March 2026 Calendar
Special Days and Months
World Wildlife Day (March 3).
International Day of Happiness (March 20).
American Red Cross Month.
Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Credit Education Month.
Irish-American Heritage Month. National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
National Kidney Month.
National Ladder Safety Month.
National Women's History Month. Poison Prevention Awareness Month. Red Cross Month.
Save Your Vision Month.
Workplace Eye Wellness Month.
Events
1-31, American Red Cross month. Presidential proclamation for Red Cross month has been issued for March since 1943.
1-8, Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. theflowershow.com.
2-3, Purim, A Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther.
3, Worm Moon. First full moon of March.
3-7, North Dakota Winter Show, Valley City, ND. Huge agricultural expo with rodeos, truck pulls and tractor pulls.
5-8, Crufts Dog Show, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, West Midlands, England. More than 23,000 dogs compete. Web: crufts.org.uk.
6-8, International Festival of Owls, Houston, MN. Hooting contest, owl prowls, more. festivalofowls.com.
6, World Day of Prayer.
7-8, Floral City Strawberry Festival, Floral City, Florida. Arts and crafts, pageants.
citruscountychamber.com.
7, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Dog teams race 1,000 miles through the wilderness. Information: Iditarod Trail Committee, P.O. Box 870800, Wasilla, AK 99687.
8 - Nov.1, Daylight Saving Time. Begins 2 a.m. Turn clocks forward one hour.
10, SALVATION ARMY COMES TO U.S., 1880. Their red kettles aren't nearly as busy these days since people have stopped carrying as much cash. But you can still donate by QR code. Some bell-ringers have little chips in their kettles. Tap the chip and select how much you want to donate.
12-18, South by Southwest (SXSW), Austin TX. Internationally recognized music, media and film conference: sxsw.com.
14, PI day, celebrating the mathematical constant of about 3.14.
14-22, Indianapolis Flower and Patio Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN. The oldest and largest in the Midwest. indianaflowerandpatioshow.com
14, National Pecan Day.
16-22, Brain Awareness Week. Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Web: brainawareness.org.
16, National Panda Day.
17, Saint Patrick's Day Parade, New York, NY. About 250,000 marchers; 2 million attend: www.nycstpatricksparade.org.
17, Saint Patrick's Day. Commemorates the patron saint of Ireland, Bishop Patrick. 19, Eid-Al-Fitr, festival marking the end of Ramadan fasting.
19, SWALLOWS RETURN TO SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. March 19. Traditional date (St. Joseph's Day), since 1776, for swallows to return to the old mission of San Juan Capistrano, CA. The swallows travel 6,000
miles from Argentina and stay at the Mission from March to October. Following 1990s structural changes, many swallows migrated to other local spots. Conservation efforts using artificial nests and sound recordings have successfully brought more back to the Mission.
20-29, International Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon GA. With concerts, parades, more. Web: www.cherryblossom.com.
20-Apr. 12, National Cherry Blossom Festival, many events at various sites in Washington, D.C. Part of the America 250 celebration.
20, Spring. In the northern hemisphere, it begins at 10:46 a.m. EDT.
20-22, Pittsburgh Art & Crafts Spring Fever Festival, Monroeville, PA. Many vendors. familyfestivals.com
22, International Day Of The Seal. To draw attention to the cruelty of seal hunts.
24, Holi, Hindu festival of colors.
25, Manatee Appreciation Day.
29, Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week, ending with Good Friday April 3.
