U.S. Mail First-Class Letter Rates to Increase by Three Cents on January 26, 2014

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) announced on Christmas Eve that it was approving a U.S. Postal Service request for a 3 cent increase in first-class mail single letter rates effective January 26, 2014. This will increase the price of stamps from 46 cents to 49 cents, or 6.5% (though I'm puzzled by the PRC press release that indicates an increase of 6.0%, which, if you do the math, is incorrect...maybe they need to hire me and my calculator).

This is a pretty significant increase, well in excess of the Consumer Price Index change that is typically uses to justify rate increases. The reason for this is that they are seeking to offset what they call "exigent" losses during the "Great Recession of 2008-2009." 

I had to look up the word "exigent" as it is not part of my limited vocabulary. According to Merriam Webster online, exigent is defined as "requiring immediate attention or action." OK, I guess I could have figured that out.

The PRC indicates that this increase is "temporary" however as it has determined that 25.3 billion pieces of volume were lost between 2008 and 2011 at a loss of $2.8 billion and that this temporary increase in excess of inflation would be put in place until the lost revenue is made up. This could be a few years.

Previous first-class letter rate increases were 1 cent in January 2013, 1 cent in January 2012 and 2 cents in May 2009.

This next month is probably the best time ever to stock up on "Forever" stamps to be the 6.5% price increase. If you don't use mail much, I suspect this will not have too big of an impact on you. If you do plan to mail a lot of stuff these next few years, it is exigent that you stock up soon.

Local Family's Marathon Toy Making Session Captured on This Time Lapse Video

Simi Valley resident Tony Pinto captured this time lapse video of his boys putting together a Starcraft II Mega Bloks BlizzCon 2011 Exclusive Limited Edition Set Battlecruiser during the recent Christmas break. This LEGO-like, 1,738 piece spaceship took an elapsed time nearly 10 hours over two days to put together, including a little help from pop. This explains the change of clothes mid-way into the video. This time lapse also captures a cameo appearance from their sister, one beverage spill and clean-up and a 90 minute period where younger bro takes a video game break. Looks fun!

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund Promotes Stewardship and Protection of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the largest urban national park in the United States at over 150,000 acres, extending from the Hollywood Bowl on the east to Point Mugu at its western end; including the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu as well as the canyons and peaks extending north to Simi Valley.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund promotes and assists the park agencies of the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area in accomplishing their missions. Together, they foster the protection and enjoyment of park resources by the public through education, research, improved facilities, citizen engagement and stewardship.

The Fund invests in projects to achieve the mission of the organization. Principal recipients are the park agencies that operate within the mountains. In addition, the Fund sponsors research projects, internships and provides stipends to augment the staffing resources available to successfully complete these projects.

"Balanced Rock" off of the Mishe Mokwa Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains in one of many scenes that leave visitors to the park in awe.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund was established in 1988 to support the education and resource protection efforts of the National Park Service and California State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It was formed by concerned citizens to represent the interests of the public in the development of parklands and recreation opportunities within the mountains.

To learn more about the Fund and to donate, visit www.samofund.org.

Just a few of my favorite Santa Monica Mountains adventures:

• Mishe Mokwa to Sandstone Peak hike
• Boney Mountain Trail to Danielson Monument
• Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas
• Cheeseboro Canyon in Agoura Hills

View from Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, towards Newbury Park.

Nothing Changes on New Year's Day 2014 in the Conejo Valley

As Bono penned, "Nothing changes on new year's day." That popular lyric holds true today in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County as dry temps in the low to mid 70s continue...seemingly indefinitely. Would be great to see some rain this year as we certainly could use it!

No sign of Bono on Boney this morning but I did see about three dozen folks making the trek to experience these wonderful views of the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas from Boney Peak.

Would you like to hike up Boney Mountain? Check out this link.