The Julian News 9
February 28, 2018
Don’t Overpay Your
Taxes
continued from page 3
Julian
Library Hours
Friends of the Library
Book Store Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
11am - 5 pm
1850 Highway 78
765 - 0370
Monday closed
Tuesday 9:00 - 8
Wednesday 9:00 - 6
Thursday 9:00 - 6
Friday 9:00 - 5
Saturday 9:00 - 5
Sunday closed
woods-kiddies: picnic tables,
restrooms, showers, wilderness
cabins, as well as RV spaces
with partial hookups, tent sites,
and play areas.
Ready to get away from the
noise pollution of city life? The
rules at this park clearly state:
“Amplified sound is not allowed.”
Whoopee! (Quiet, please!)
To reach Heise Park, drive a
mile West from Julian on Highway
78, then turn South (left) on Pine
Hills Road. After two miles, turn
left again on Frisius Road, and
continue a couple of miles until
you reach the Ranger kiosk.
Helpful staff is usually on duty
at the park entrance. On most
Sunday mornings, Ranger Nick
or a colleague leads a one-hour
nature hike starting at 10:30.
There’s a modest fee for
day use or overnight camping.
Volunteer Ranger Dean Meyer,
who comes up the hill from
Ramona, reminded me that
seniors and those with disabilities
should ask for a free day-use
parking permit, valid at other San
Diego County Parks.
The general phone number for
reservations at Heise and other
County parks is (877) 565-3600.
In-depth information is at www.
sdparks.org. For last-minute
reservations and info on day use
or Community Center activities
call (760) 765-0650.
Two other County Parks are
nearby: From bustling downtown
Julian drive North on Main Street/
Farmer Road through woodlands
and scenic rolling hills, past
cattle and horse pastures, until
you reach Wynola Road. Straight
ahead you can visit one of the
local wineries when you’re ready
for a tasting session. But for great
nature hikes, turn right on Wynola
Road and almost immediately jog
left onto the extension of Farmer
Road.
Volcan Mountain Wilderness
Preserve: A tenth of a mile up
Farmer Road park on the right
shoulder near the entrance to this
Mountains Are
Calling
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2900-acre wilderness area. Hike
up the Volcan Trail or the shady
Five Oaks Trail to the summit. On
a clear day, you’ll be rewarded
with views to the Pacific Ocean
and the Colorado Desert.
This is considered a
“moderately strenuous” hike.
There are no restrooms or water
sources, so be sure to carry
water, sunscreen and a snack.
Dogs are permitted on a leash.
The preserve is free to the
public, open 365 days a year,
from dawn to dusk, weather
permitting. For the up-to-date
status of County trails, preserves,
and open space (other than Heise
Park), call the local Ranger office
at (760) 765-4098.
Santa Ysabel Preserve: A mile
or so farther North on Farmer
Road, turn left into the parking
area at the trail head to “one of
the best-kept secrets of San
Diego County”—that’s what it’s
called by “Coast to Cactus,” the
invaluable Canyoneer trail guide.
This wilderness preserve offers
miles of trails through meadows
flanked by several species of
huge oak trees, across streams
that flow into the watersheds of
both the San Diego and the San
Dieguito Rivers. Watch where
you step: you’re sharing the
territory with cattle and ground
squirrels. It’s said to be a haven
for badgers, but all you’re likely
to see is the entrance to one of
their burrows. Open daily. No fee
for day use. No water. Portable
latrines are at the trail heads.
The western entrance to the
Santa Isabel Preserve is at 29300
Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel.
Both East and West Preserves
are popular with equestrians.
Access for horse trailers is in
their respective parking areas.
For information on hiking and
events at Santa Ysabel or Volcan
Mountain Preserves, contact the
Volcan Mountain Foundation
on Main Street in Julian, www.
volcanmt.org, (760) 765-2300.
This non-profit organization helps
preserve our local wilderness and
arranges educational activities
for local school, volunteer, and
conservation groups.
Being outdoors in our
mountains is like chicken soup
for urban stress and little town
blues. Experts tell us that it’s
good for our physical health.
From decades of personal
experience, I’m convinced that,
by immersing myself in the
sights, sounds and smells of our
mountains, I may not add many
years to my life, but I certainly
have added a truckload of life to
my years.
Because of circumstance
and choice, I spend most of my
time in the “flat lands”. Life is
sometimes easier there than
in the mountains, but not as
rewarding (at least not for me).
It’s always a good day when I can
look across nearby rooftops and
see the morning sun rise behind
the eastern mountains. It reminds
me of that other, natural world
only a short drive away. I tune out
the noise of commuters racing to
work, take a sip of coffee, and
remember that the mountains are
calling. I’m delighted to answer
their call as often as possible.
Each week in my mailbox I
receive a little fresh mountain air
with my subscription to the “Julian
News”, which accompanies me
during my armchair wanderings.
I hope that these little scribblings
help a few others on their journey.
NEXT TIME: More outdoor
options, plus some “curiouser
and curiouser” stories about our
local flora and fauna.
usually in your best interest to
participate. If your income is
lower than $60,000, you can
receive a credit of up to $1,000 for
a contribution of up to $2,000 into
an IRA or an employer-provided
retirement account, such as a
401(k). The credit is in addition to
any deduction or exclusion from
income for the contribution.
Some tax deductions that
allow you to reduce your taxable
income include:
1. Moving Expenses
If you moved for a job that is
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home and held this job for at
least 39 weeks, you can claim
your moving expenses even if
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Plan for tax time. Tax
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For example, the tax pros at
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3. New Moms
Breast pumps and lactation
supplies are considered medical
equipment, which means they
qualify for a possible deduction.
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Job hunting often means
investing both time and money.
However, you may be able to
deduct some of the job-search
expenses you incur. Costs such
as preparing resumes, creating
and maintaining websites,
business cards, agency fees and
travel expenses may be eligible.
5. Wedding Bells
If you were married in a church
or at a historical site during the
past year, you may be able to
deduct fees paid to the venue as
a charitable donation.
6. Medical Fitness
Whilegeneraltoningandfitness
workouts to improve general
health are considered personal
expenses, you may be able to
deduct your gym membership
as a medical expense. If a
doctor diagnoses you with a
specific medical condition, such
as obesity or hypertension, or
a specific physical or mental
illness, and prescribes workouts
or participation in a weight-loss
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membership dues may be tax-
deductible.
7. Road Warriors
If you travel for business
and aren't reimbursed by your
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Every possible tax credit and
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Did You Know?
1. The IRS, as well as many
states, allows taxpayers to
catch up on missed credits or
deductions, offering a three-year
window for filing an amended tax
return. You can secure unclaimed
credits and deductions by filing
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losing any unclaimed funds from
as far back as 2014.
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3. If you are a single parent,
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This filing status can provide
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lower tax rate schedule.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
