Cooking with David Maciel

Sponsored by Ray’s Food Place, Furber Plaza

As we embark on 2024 it’s the time of the year when I reflect on my life. Like many I want to knock off a few
holiday pounds. I look for recipes that are filling and rich in flavor but low in calories and fat.

This vegan based recipe is all of that. You can certainly add lean chicken, shrimp or tofu if that’s your fancy.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 4 green cardamom pods (slightly crushed)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ to 1 tsp cayenne(use more or less based on your preference)
• 1 TBS ginger garlic paste
• 2 medium sweet potatoes(diced into ½-inch cubes)
• 2 medium potatoes (yellow or red, diced into ½-inch cubes)
• 1 large carrot (sliced into thin rounds)
• 1 large green bell pepper(diced)
• 2 cups green beans (chopped)
• 1½ cups vegetable stock (or water)
• 14 oz chickpeas (canned or cooked from scratch. Drain thoroughly before adding)
• 1½ TBS curry powder (or substitute with garam masala. It will produce a slightly different flavor but works just as well)
• 14 oz coconut milk (one can, stirred)
• 3 scallions (green & white parts chopped, optional)
• 2 TBS lemon juice
• 2 TBS cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil. Add the onions followed by the cardamom pods and saute over medium heat until the onions start to sweat and turn translucent
2. Add the turmeric, cayenne and ginger garlic paste and stir-fry for 30 seconds
3. Add the sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carrots. Season with some salt and cover the pan. Turn the heat to low and let the vegetables cook about five minutes. If the veggies start to stick, add some water
4. Add the green beans and green peppers and ½ cup of water or vegetable stock. Cover again and cook five more minutes.
5. Check to see if the potatoes and sweet potatoes are cooked and fork-tender. If they are not, continue to cook, covered, for a few more minutes. Stir in the chickpeas, curry powder and another cup of vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the coconut milk and scallions, if using, and just let the curry heat through.

Stir in the lemon and cilantro and add more salt if needed. Serve hot.

A formally articulated budget and sound fiscal policies provide the foundation for assuring the City’s long-term fiscal sustainability while allowing the city to fund essential city services such as Police, Park and street functions as well as much needed infrastructure improvements. In the coming months of 2024, the City Council and staff will be embarking on preparation of a new two-year budget for the new fiscal year starting on July 1, 2024. The new budget will cover the periods of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This article will provide an update on the City’s budget for the current fiscal year, the current audit in process and development of a new two-year budget.

Overview of Current Budget

• In June 2022, the City Council adopted a two-year budget that covered the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 referred to collectively as the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-24 Budget. The City’s Budget identifies expenditures and revenues for a series of funds including the General Fund, Water and Wastewater Enterprise Funds and a series of special funds and revenues dedicated to specific purposes including Lighting and Landscape Assessment District funds, gas taxes, development impact fees from new development, Measure M (Local sales tax revenue for road improvements), and retirement funds.
• The FY 2023-24 adopted budget identifies $19.8 Million in total operating revenue and $19.5 million in total operating expenses in FY 2023-24.
• The City’s General Fund, identified revenue of $7.49 Million and expenses of $9.32 Million.
• The annual operating deficit was closed with fund balance (the City’s savings account).
• The FY 2023-24 budget will expire June 30, 2024.

Annual Independent Auditors Report

The City’s financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) for FY 2022-23 that concluded on June 30 2023 are currently being reviewed by the City’s Independent Auditor. The audited financial statements will be presented to the City Council in early February 2024. The Independent Auditors’s Report will consist of a series of financial statements. The components include:

• The government-wide financial statements which include the Statement of Net Position and the Statement of Activities and report information about the City as a whole including all assets and liabilities using the accrual basis of accounting. This type of accounting is similar to the accounting used by most private sector companies.
• Fund financial statements describe how City services are financed in the short term as well as what resources are available for future spending. Fund financial statements also report the City’s operations in more detail than the government-wide statements by providing information about the City’s most significant funds.
  The Independent Auditors Report will provide a picture of the City’s financial health and help to determine whether the current fiscal year’s activities contributed positively to the overall financial well-being and help to inform the development of the budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. A copy of past audits can be found at the following link on the City’s website: https://www.cloverdale.net/70/Forms-Fees

Development of New Two-Year Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026

Starting in early 2024, the City Council with the assistance of City staff will begin developing a new two-year budget for FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026. The budget is expected to fund all City operations, projects, and programs and provide a plan for revenues and expenditures within each fund.

Our budget development process is a structured sequence of steps designed to ensure careful planning, allocation, and management of financial resources. Here’s a condensed overview of the City’s budget process:

Courtney (our shining star from above)

You always loved the celestial. It was so great when you were younger to go in your bedroom and see the glow in the dark stars all over your ceiling and all the sun, moon and star things you had everywhere.

What does it mean to be celestial? Celestial beings are those that either exist in space amongst the stars and amongst the only one true being; God …or that live in heaven called angels.

So, it was so fitting to receive a letter, sixteen years ago, from the International Star Registry stating that a star in the
Heavens has been named in memoriam.

Dated; January 05, 2008; The star name- Courtney Davis; located in the Andromeda constellation with all the
coordinates included.

The “Make A Wish Foundation” purchased this touching and heartwarming surprise for us; as they do for all
children, who are registered with them, and pass from serious illnesses. They are a wonderful organization who brought our daughter joy amidst her struggle with cancer by granting her Make A Wish.

One clear evening, we were very excited to view her star at the Robert Ferguson Observatory.

Even though we can’t see you Courtney, we know you’re still with us…you will forever twinkle in every light.

We’re gonna love you until the Heavens stop the rain.
We’re gonna love you until the stars fall from the sky.

Dad and Mom ~ “Life is only as bad as you make it”

Norman Pardini “Norm” born July 3, 1948, in Cloverdale, to parents Henry and Lena Pardini. He lived in Cloverdale for 74 years before moving to Ukiah, Ca in 2022.

On the same day Norm was born the Cloverdale Food Center opened. At age 10, Norm began working at the Cloverdale Food Center and later he and his wife Linda purchased the business.

To know Norm was to love him, especially his stories, company, and his market steaks. Norm will be missed dearly by everyone, most of all his wife, Linda Pardini, son Dennis Pardini, daughter-in-law Julie Pardini, grandchildren, Kevin Pardini, Kirstin Villavicencio and Kaylah Pardini, brother, Ray Pardini and many other family and friends.
Norm along with John Turner carried on the Cloverdale Charger football program for Norm’s brother, Joe Pardini.
Over 10 years ago, the “Norm Pardini” award was created. This prestigious award is given to one special varsity player each year. The award honors the player for their effort and all-around genuine heart and soul. This award represents Norm as the man we all knew him to be.

Norm was a member of the Cloverdale Lions club for over 30 years. Contributing and supporting the Cloverdale
community was one of many things Norm took pride in being a part of. Norm’s family would like to thank the Cloverdale Lions Club for their generosity and support in putting together Norm’s Celebration of Life. Donations can be given to the Cloverdale Lions Club.

Celebration of Life will be held at the Citrus Fair on
January 6, 2024, at 1:00.