Monday, 29 April 2024

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Nothing says summer quite like a dip in the pool on a scorching hot day.

Whether you’re just taking the pool cover off for the first time this season or you’re due for some maintenance, hiring the right swimming pool business can make all the difference.

However, with so many options of companies to hire, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you.

In 2017, more than 3,000 California consumers turned to your Golden Gate Better Business Bureau with inquiries about swimming pool contractors.

On the other hand, last year consumers nationwide filed nearly 2,000 complaints regarding swimming pool contractors.

Complaints varied from contractors refusing to do repairs that were covered by a warranty, projects not being completed in a timely manner, and contractors making a mess and destroying yards.

Ensure you’re waist deep in pool water instead of bills and paperwork this summer by following these BBB tips:

· Do your research. When looking for a swimming pool contractor start off by visiting www.bbb.org. A company’s BBB Business Profile includes their rating, complaint history, and reviews from past customers. You can also ask for recommendations from friends & family. When you first talk to the business, make sure to ask for references – and actually check them. Ask at least three contractors to check out the area in person to provide estimates. Make sure the estimates are for identical scopes of work and specify the size of the pool, what labor is needed, and an itemized list of materials. Watch out for too-good-to-be-true quotes and don’t automatically accept the lowest bid.

· Check licensing. The contractor performing the work will need a special C-53 license from the Contractors State License Board, or CSLB. The CSLB advises that “in California, any contracting job – including swimming pool construction or repair – that costs $500 or more must be performed by a contractor who holds a current, valid contractor license, in the classification for which they are contracting.” Check that the license is current and active here. Ask for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance as well.

· Understand the contract and keep a copy. Make sure everything is in writing, especially any promises made verbally. The contract should include dates, details, cost breakdowns, and any warranty or guarantee policies. Ask who will be doing the actual work and make sure that information is included in the contract. If the contractor is hiring a subcontractor, make sure they’re properly licensed and insured as well.

· Know if you need a permit. Many cities and counties in California require a special building permit to install swimming pools over a certain depth. Know whether this applies to you and make sure your contractor obtains all necessary permits. Upon completion of the project, someone from the city or county may need to perform a final inspection.

· Need help with maintenance or repairs? In 2017, consumers nationwide filed over 600 complaints with BBB against swimming pool service, repair, and maintenance companies. Many complaints involved unprofessional behavior, no-show businesses, and work not being done in a timely manner. There are over 400 pool service companies in Oakland alone, so use the BBB Accredited Business Directory to find a service company you can trust. Ask questions about services and prices so you know exactly what you’ll be getting and how much you’ll be paying. Always get a written estimate and be sure you understand the terms of the warranty and costs for both labor and equipment.

For more tips on hiring contractors of all kinds, visit www.go.bbb.org/generalcontractors.

Evan Arnold-Gordon is a public relations specialist for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California. Visit www.bbb.org.
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Right after the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires in 2015 I got a renewal notice on my fire insurance. It seems my policy was nearing the time for reconsideration.

A phone call to my agent to find out the new cost brought sad news that the company would not be renewing insurance in my area.

How could that be, it’s the same area that it’s always been and I keep the vegetation back from the house?

Surely I said, “You mean the premium is going up don’t you?”

“No,” the answer came back, “the company is pulling out of Lake County as a high risk.”

Because I was too busy to do much in the way of looking for insurance I found an agent that said I would not be refused through a state pool called the California Fair Plan.

This was insurance at considerably more money and insured just the basic house. I had to buy an additional plan for the content, outbuildings and machinery. Wow, the cost for living in the country just went up. In addition, we were in a fire condition exacerbated by drought, fire prone vegetation, dead trees and an extended fire season from low humidity.

In response to these fire conditions that bring a new normal risk to houses sitting in the wildland interface, many plans for fire hardening houses, clearing vegetation and making advanced plans are starting to emerge.

There were many earlier fire events, but the pivotal event that began a movement toward rules requiring defensible space around your house in wildland interface areas and a new approach to insurance finders was the Oakland Hills Fire of 1991.

The Oakland Hills fire, officially known as the Tunnel fire, killed 25 people and burned 1,520 acres, 2,843 single family homes and 437 multifamily buildings.

I toured this fire site the week after with the California Board of Forestry as an adjunct wildlife consultant advising for good wildlife policy. But, I didn’t have much to say except hot fires were not good.

The interesting facts that came out of the tour were fires had burned through the area three times earlier in the century – 1923, 1970 and 1980 – all in the autumn of the year during dry conditions and high winds.

No wonder insurance companies were rethinking their approach to what was good risk and what was not. Change was needed if the hills were to be rebuilt

The biggest wildland interface policy change developed by the Board of Forestry in 1991 was to restrict wooden roofs and require the 30-foot area around the house to have low flammability vegetation.

The insurance industry also started to look at spreading risk and increasing the opportunity to influence the outcomes through science by testing particular building choices.

Over the years protection parameters have upgraded to become more sophisticated and now you can improve your defense by looking at the Cal Fire Web site at www.readyforwildfire.org.

As you make your home safer you probably want to find the best value insurance for your situation. After all, every community deserves the opportunity to thrive and of course, insured and protected homes are essential to community vitality.

Right after the Oakland Hills fire an effort was made to gather insurance agents’ contact information through a public benefit corporation called Yapacopia. They operate the Cal Insurance Finder, a free Web site at www.uphelp.org/matchup .

The homeowner works directly with independent brokers that look for insurance companies who will insure their situation and need. You can also call their toll-free number 877-469-0977. This starts a pathway to home insurance with an expert.

Many programs for lowering fire risk will be coming up over the next few years and it will be prudent to check your risk situation every year, just like smoke alarm batteries.

The new normal will be working toward lowering your risk in a high risk area and looking for an insurance agent with a company that agrees with the odds.

The fire record of Lake County – which has recorded 103 fires in 50 years – is not lost on the insurance industry, but it’s what you do to and around your house that will count.

Jim Steele is District 3 supervisor for Lake County, Calif. He also chairs the Lake County Board of Supervisors for 2018.
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The gospel of Mark 6:3-4 says, “And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.’”

When I read the Gospel lesson for today, I said to myself, “can I relate to this or what.” Jesus going home, “Home sweet home?” Not by a long shot.

This carpenter guy, I mean that son of Mary and Joseph, you’ve got to be kidding me! A prophet, the Son of man, give me a break! Who does he think he is? He should have just stayed playing his game of life as a carpenter and left well enough alone! BUT NO! He wants to come off as a prophet … some even says he calls himself the son of God himself. Can you believe that?

Well, I can. I can relate to the folks do not have the faith to believe that this is God at work. And so, I thought about how this would play out for me if I ever went back to my hometown and walked around the city with my clergy collar on and started preaching at the local churches.

Did you hear that DelCol came back from California and he says he is a pastor? HUUU! A pastor, no way, Yes way! I thought he was an electronics engineer. Nope, pastor now! You can’t be talking about the same DelCol, I mean Chris DelCol that I am thinking of, could you? Oh yes, I am.

How in Heaven’s name does He think He can be a man of God, I mean look at his past.
The Chris DelCol I know was that little guy, maybe 3 or 4 years old, riding down the road on his wagon, completely nude, his toe chewed to bits from getting it caught in the rear wheel … that kid took his clothes off every time he could sneak out of the house and I am told he would hide them, so his mother would never be able to find them. Are you talking about that Chris DelCol, the world’s first streaker? Not in this town!

The DelCol that caused chaos in high school wherever he went? Not in this town!

I am telling you, this can’t be the same Chris DelCol I know … I heard he ran to California to get away from the cold weather … what a wimp … can’t be the same guy, can’t be … not in this town! That’s him …

Get an idea of what it’s like to go home to a town that doesn’t want to believe that it could possibly happen? Not in this town they say! What would the people of your hometown say if you went there and announced to them you were a pastor, or even more significant, the Son of God? You’d be thrown in jail as a lunatic, right.

Such is the case with Jesus in the above Scripture. “Headline Nazareth … Jesus comes home … Heaven forbid!”

There is a sadness that goes with rejection. A sadness that is difficult to explain … one must experience it to understand it. A handicapped person being laughed at because they look different or act different and they can’t help it, but the people laugh nonetheless. A spouse who thought his wife loved him but knows now it was just for his money, and she wants it all, and she wants it now, a church which opens its doors to all people except those who don’t add up to the standard. Rejection! Thank God for First Lutheran where everyone is welcome!

And then we have Jesus who is dealing this day with a rejection beyond anything we can imagine. This man is about to die for His friends … he says himself in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.”

The rejecters are His friends, even His family. They are the very people turning their backs on Him yet His journey to the cross continues with the sin of all who reject Him on His very back.

We will talk more about this on Sunday. Please join us at First Lutheran Church in Lucerne on July 8 for our contemporary service. Bible study starts at 9:30 a.m., with worship at 11 a.m. followed by lunch.

Everyone is welcome so come as you are.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572. Email Pastor Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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What is the most prominent dread in the world today?

What will make the strongest man alive squirm, make people faint, make the smallest child run in stress to the protection of mom or dad.

What will take the very life out of you and scare you to the point of … should I say it? To the point of death?

That, my friends in Christ, is fear.

And it is written on our faces, just as it was written on the faces of even the greatest of our biblical figures. Cain against the reality of God’s knowledge of the murder he had just committed, Moses up against the Pharaoh, Samson and Delilah, David and Nathan, Solomon and his indiscretion.

How about Isaac and Ishmael? That conflict started thousands of years ago and continues to this day as the world remains a source for the very hell of war and hate to this date.

Mark 6:23 states, “And she (Herodias’s daughter) went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

For John the Baptist, his day is up. He knew it was coming, but he didn’t know when, but it has finally come and there are many who fear this day. John himself, for he had much left to do and now no time to do it.

And how about Herodias’s daughter … bold … brazen … out to get her own way no matter what. Did she fear anything? Doesn’t appear so, does it?

And it is because she hated to hear the truth about her mother’s and stepfather’s sin and the fact that John the Baptist wouldn’t stop telling it.

What she failed to realize is that death doesn’t stop the truth from being told and there were others just like John who were willing to risk their lives to call sin what it is – sin! And so, they did. Death where there is faith can silence no one.

One man for certain was in fear this day. Herod. He was no a stupid man. He saw what he was up against, and he was up against God, but rather than bow down to the Lord and send his scandalous wife and daughter in law to the fate of death, he took the easy way out.

Send John where I deserve to go. Send John where she deserves to go, send John out of here so that these nightmares from hell will stop. Send anyone, just don’t send me. Ever feel that way?

The thing people fear most in this world is death. And the interesting part of fearing death is, as a Christian, we don’t need to.

Herod needed to, the thief on the cross needed to, the ones to this day who refuse to accept the fact that they are sinners and that Jesus Christ died a horrible death for us need to.

How about you, yes you, in Lake County. Are you in fear of the death?

You do not need to be. Jesus has paid the price and we are saved. Come and hear how.

Fear is our topic this week at First Lutheran Church in Lucerne and I invite everyone to join us for what will be a contemporary music, Holy Communion service.

This week is also our monthly “food cupboard” and all are welcome to join us for Bible study at 9:30 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., lunch after service and the food cupboard from 1 to 2 p.m.

Bring your family and friends! All are welcome so come as you are.

See you Sunday!

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572. Email Pastor Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Summer can be a great time to start home improvement projects, but you may not be able to tackle them all on your own.

Hiring a contractor may be helpful, but it’s important to do your research before you begin! In 2017, consumers nationwide filed more than 5,000 complaints on general contractors with BBB.

Common complaints for contractors include sales practices, followed by refunds. Consumers also submitted complaints related to contractors performing work and being unable to reach customer service or get a refund.

Follow these tips to ensure you are hiring a trustworthy contractor:

– Find a contractor you can trust. Start with trust and find a contractor on bbb.org. There you can see their rating, complaint history, reviews from past customers, and whether they’re a trustworthy BBB Accredited Business. Ask for references from friends and family as well.

– Research their track record. You can search for a contractor’s business profile at bbb.org to see if they are a BBB Accredited Business, get free information on their history of complaints, and read verified Customer Reviews. Also ask for local references, and speak with those customers about their experience with the vendor and the quality of work. If possible, inspect the contractor's work yourself. Ask if the contractor is a member of a professional association that has standards or a code of ethics.

– Watch out for contractors who have: high upfront payments, cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, “handshake” deals without a contract, and on-site inspections. Learn more at www.go.bbb.org/generalcontractors.

– Always double check licensing and insurance. In California, any contractor working on a project that is valued at $500 or more for labor and materials must hold a license from the Contractors State License Board. CSLB licenses contractors in 44 different classifications, so verify that the contractor holds a license for the work you are having done. You can check the status of a license on CSLB’s Web site. It’s also important to verify that they’re insured – ask to see a copy of their Certificate of Insurance, or ask for the name of the insurance carrier and agency to verify independently.

– Inquire about a lien waiver. A lien waiver is a statement from your contractor that says all suppliers and subcontractors have been paid for their work.

– Get it in writing. Always get estimates in writing and never let any work begin without a written and signed contract. Do not be pressured into signing an agreement before you are ready, and make sure you read and understand everything before signing. The contract should include contact information, start and completion dates, and a detailed description of the exact work to be done, any material costs, payment arrangements, and warranty information. Specify who is to obtain necessary building permits and who is responsible for clean-up. Make sure all verbal promises are included in the contract. It’s also important to ask questions such as information on the subcontractors, how much work will be subcontracted, and any other questions you may not understand on the contract. Never sign an incomplete or partially blank contract.

– Ask for multiple quotes. You should always shop around and get at least three quotes from different businesses. Make sure all bids consider the same set of criteria. Remember that the lowest bid may not necessarily be the best bid; if one bid is significantly lower than the others are, the contractor may be cutting corners or may not understand your work requirements.

If you’re exposed to a home improvement scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker to help warn others.

If you work with a great company on your home improvement project, leave them a Customer Review.

And if you’re not satisfied with an outcome, you can file a complaint with BBB.

Evan Arnold-Gordon is with the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.
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First let me say to you, Happy Canada Day. This is a particularly joyous time of the year for me and my family as we are dual citizens and we get to celebrate Canada’s Independence Day on July 1 and the United States on July 4.

It is a time of celebration for certain, but from the accounts of both countries that went to war side by side to give us the freedom and peace we have this day, we must never forget the price paid was very high.

And the price paid for our eternal freedom and peace on the cross of Christ was the highest price ever paid for people that didn’t deserve it. So today we talk about peace. The question is, is peace nothing more than a word that means “not war?”

If peace is the word that we use to mean the opposite of war, then my friends in Christ, this world has never experienced peace since we have been at war in some, way, shape, or form since the day Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. That was the real beginning of World War I and it hasn’t stopped since.

Oh, there have been very brief periods of time when the nations were settled and not killing each other, but rest assured, somewhere in the world, war reigned, through genocide, senseless murder, social conflict, tribal clashes, and closest to home, conflict with family, friends, acquaintances at war with each other.

We like to think our country is forever free and at peace because there isn’t much going on in the confines of the walls of this country that would lead one to believe there is war going on.

But though the evidence of peace is alluring and appealing to, and even embraced by, many who believe we have achieved it, the reality is the United States is at war at home and abroad and the very freedom our ancestors fought for is in jeopardy.

At home, senseless shootings, upheaval amongst and between different ethnic groups, a huge political divide, an immigration nightmare, a split this country hasn’t seen the likes of since the Civil War. And where are our troops? Stationed abroad and in harm’s way to do everything they can to try to maintain peace in an area that has never known peace.

The root cause of all this turmoil is the fact we have drifted away from what our founding fathers established as the foundation for a free country that is at peace with itself and the world.

Let’s start with Psalm 33:12 saying, “Blessed is the nation (like the USA) whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for his inheritance.” Patrick Henry states, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Do we still believe that?

How about John Adams who stated, "Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people ... it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Moral and religious people – are we that?

And lastly George Washington’s Farewell Address to Nation, "Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove Christianity from politics." And we have done just that, plus our schools, plus the workplace, plus our homes, plus, plus, plus, you name it, we’ve done it. To many, maybe even most, God is no longer our Lord.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a famous French political philosopher, visited our nation more than 100 years ago to uncover the secret of our greatness. He traveled from town to town, talking with people, asking questions, examining every facet of our society.

Returning to France, he wrote these amazing words, "I sought for America’s greatness. I found it not in her fields & forests. I found it not in her mines & factories. I found it not in her Congress & great tribunals.

"It was only when I entered her churches & heard her pulpits thundering against sin & preaching righteousness that I discovered the secret of her greatness."

Then he added, "America is great because America is good. If America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Are we still the good nation he referred to? Let’s talk more about that Sunday.

I invite the good people of Lake County to join us at First Lutheran Church for our “blended music” Holy Communion service on July 1.

Bible study specific to the immigration situation we are in is at 9:30 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., followed by a hot lunch for all after worship.

Everyone is welcome so please join us Sunday and come as you are.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572. Email Pastor Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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