FEDS OK VETERANS HOME DESIGN.

Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior columnist

LANCASTER - Federal officials have approved building plans for a state veterans home, with provisions for expanding the home to accommodate up to 400 veterans.

Tom Craft, chairman of the Lancaster Veterans Home Citizens Committee, said the approval came after a meeting with city redevelopment officials.

``They got down to some real hard discussions as to how this thing is going to go by design as opposed to cookie-cutter-type planning. They built into the agreement language they didn't have before,'' said Craft. ``The agreement's language now stipulates that the first building has to be built in consideration of expansion, which means that when they start laying the trenches or strings or anything else, they have to have it all planned to accommodate a 400-bed veterans home in the future.''

The federal officials agreed it would be cheaper to design the home to accommodate the future expansion than to modify it after the first phase is built. The design plans have not yet been OK'd by the state, which would build the home using federal aid and bond money approved by California voters.

``We still have some problems with bureaucrats up in Sacramento but the feds are on board,'' Craft said at a meeting of the veterans home committee. ``They think it makes all the sense in the world.''

The home is to be built on land donated by the city of Lancaster at 30th Street West and Avenue I.

Craft said there is no reason why the home's construction, which has been in the works for more than 10 years, shouldn't go ahead now, and he ``looks for building activities to start within the next couple of months.''

In preparation, the veterans home amenities fund-raising team has begun to accelerate its activities to raise $100,000 for buying videotapes, books, garden supplies and other extras for the home's residents.

A raffle of a 2000 Jeep Wrangler from Hunter Dodge is scheduled for July 3 at Lancaster Municipal Stadium. It is hoped to raise $11,000. Raffle tickets are expected to be available next month.

``I think we can sell a lot of tickets for it at $20 apiece,'' said Steve Malicott, Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce president, who is in charge of the raffle.

Donations to the fund are welcome, especially if given in memory of individual veterans, said Craft.

``It's a great way to keep alive the memory of every vet who might have gone into the home, had it been available earlier. We'll gladly take contributions made for any other reason, too,'' Craft said.

To make donations or for more information, call treasurer Ruth Marr [phone].

Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster, Palmdale and South Valley have been announced. All meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk for a suggested donation of $2.

Monday: Corned beef and cabbage, parsleyed potatoes, apple juice, Jell-O with fruit, shamrock cake.

Tuesday: Braised beef and noodles, green beans, marinated salad, orange juice, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Barbecued chicken, rice pilaf, Normandy vegetables, lettuce and tomato salad, banana.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn Niblets, carrot-raisin-pineapple salad, pudding.

Friday: Roast turkey, bread dressing, parsleyed carrots, lettuce salad, grape juice, Jell-O with fruit.

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Tom Craft chairs a citizens committee for the new veterans home in Lancaster.

Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News