E-mail readers, click on "Seven Ghosts A-Dancing" title above for full story.
On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love gave to me
Seven ghosts a-dancin'
Six bears a-boatin'
Five points of light
Four lighted trees,
Three crazy creatures,
Two cool dogs
And a rainbow over Seabridge.
Happy New Year!.
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On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love gave to me
Six bears a-boatin'
Five points of light
Four lighted trees,
Three crazy creatures,
Two cool dogs
And a rainbow over Seabridge.
Happy New Year!.
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It's an invisible occurrence, but may be one of the most important ones affecting us in the coming year at Seabridge and elsewhere. When the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve, not only will the party horns be tooting, but a set of new laws will take effect in California.
Of these, the one I believe will be most obvious and important to us Seabridge homeowners is the change to the law resulting from the passage of Senate Bill 528. With a few exceptions, this law requires that the board post meeting agendas in advance and keep decisions limited to the topics on the agenda. If you don't like decisions that have been made in the past, there is virtually no reason left for you to be surprised by a board decision you don't like. So keep an eye out for agendas and make sure you keep informed on the issues affecting our community. And share your views with the board.
If you're curious about the other laws lurking just around the bend, the San Jose Mercury Tribune does a decent job at listing some of them. Of the ones they mention, I was happy to read about the changes to acceptance of gift certificates. California has always been good about looking out for the consumer in the area of gift cards and certificates - including our state's unique law about not allowing cards bought in the state to expire. Also, I see that the hands-free-cellphone-use-while-driving doesn't take effect until July. Still, I believe it's good practice now.
Community Association Law isn't the most fascinating topic, but it has a big impact on how our association runs and how our money is spent. If you're in doubt, consider the numerous organizations - including realtors, management companies, homeowners and contractors - taking positions on all sides of pending legislation, and the lobbyists they send to Sacramento to look out for the millions of dollars they have at stake. I think it's worth an hour or two to understand the basics of the Davis-Stirling Act that guides much of the association's operation. Also, the shiny new 2008 California Condo Bluebook is always an excellent guide. If you are curious about other legislation being considered, there is a good summary of what came up in 2007 here and especially here. Of the information, I was intrigued by the legislation our own Senator, Tom Harman has proposed. It would require mandatory education for board members. I can see the arguments that this is an intrusion into the affairs of the association, but I also understand the intent of making sure people running and HOA understand the basic concepts. Ideally all board members would get this education voluntarily as a part of making sure they understand how to best live up to their fiduciary duty.
"Enjoy"!
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.E-mail readers, click "Five Points of Light" title above for full story.
Can you tell that the holidays have found me with extra time on my hands? ;-) On the fifth day of Christmas |
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Even more than yesterday's elapsed-time video, this one from this morning is subtle. Still, as I watch it, I think it's pretty representative of morning in our community - quiet and peaceful, with the occasional glimpses of residents beginning their day. I like how the color in the sky deepens as the sun rises, and the way the reflections off the windows play off the houses across the street. That's something I'd never paid attention to before.
I'm realizing that this place isn't Times Square, so I'm probably not going to capture much more activity than this. Not such a bad thing, really. Still, if you have ideas for other places to try this out, let me know!
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In its 6 months of existence, this blog has collected almost 90 posts. So to make it a bit easier to find older features, I've added labels to each article. You can now look on the right-hand side of each page for a list of posts, organized by category. This post, for example, falls under "Announcements".
On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love gave to me
Four lighted trees,
Three crazy creatures,
Two cool dogs
And a rainbow over Seabridge.
Ho ho ho.
Return to The Bridge home page.Photography has always interested me, though I haven't always had much time to devote to it. Nowadays, digital cameras and photo editing software have made easy the things that used to take hours in the lab.
Since I'm usually working during the day, I thought I'd take advantage of time off to try out some fun features on my camera and also see what I've been missing. Turns out - not much, especially on a holiday week! Still, this video made from time-lapse photos of Tempe Drive has its charm. For one, it's kind of cool to see the shadows move and lengthen as the day draws to a close. Close observers will even see the Christmas lights turn on and neighbors going about their business.
This 33-second video covered a period of 3 hours and 20 minutes. Perhaps I'll try again tomorrow with a different vantage point.
Return to The Bridge home page.(With apologies to Andy Schmidt...)
If you haven't yet checked out the Greetings From Huntington Beach blog, you might like to do so. I find it to be an interesting source of news and opinion about what's going on in our city overall.
I noticed they are running a feature based on the "Twelve Days of Christmas". I liked the concept so much, I thought I might try it here. OK, I'm three days late, but I've already caught up today. Furthermore, I haven't worked out all the "gifts" yet, so I welcome your ideas for the days remaining. Enjoy!
On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Three crazy creatures
Two cool dogs
And a rainbow over Seabridge.
Happy Holidays!
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Today marks a transition point as the Seabridge Journal becomes The Bridge. I used this title on a project I recently worked on, and it struck me as a great metaphor for what I'm trying to do with this blog. Hopefully this website is one of several bridges to connect neighbors, improve communication and foster a sense of community at Seabridge. I also like the word play involved as it gives our community a casual nickname that reflects the relaxed feel of the place.
In keeping with that spirit of building bridges, I'd like to ask again that if you enjoy what you read here, please make sure that your neighbors know about The Bridge and that they sign up on the right for e-mail notification of new posts. I also welcome your feedback on anything in the comments section as it lets me know what people find interesting and helpful.
Nothing else is different - you'll still be able to read whatever random thoughts I have that might be even tangentially related to this place. The URL will remain the same, in case you've bookmarked or linked to anything here.
Enjoy, and happy holidays! Return to The Bridge home page.Do you know the status of the gated entry system upgrade project?
Do you know what's happening with respect to revising our CC&Rs?
Registered homeowners may click here to get answers to these and other exciting questions addressed in tonight's board meeting.
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Ah, 1979... who can forget My Sharona, I Will Survive and Escape (The Pina Colada Song)? On the tube, we were still watching The Love Boat, Mork & Mindy and Happy Days. The cell phone had yet to hit the US, but we were introduced to the Sony Walkman. And as we bid goodbye to the 70s, we were saying hello to Trivial Pursuit.
Gas averaged 86 cents/gallon; Three Mile Island captured our attention with a fire in a nuclear reactor; a little-known fellow called Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq, and the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was introduced.
1979 was also a big year for Seabridge, when many of our units were up for sale. Click the photos below to check out these fabulous model homes - who wouldn't want to snatch these up?!
Well, there must be some appeal to this place, as several of the original buyers are still here. Feel free to share your memories of Seabridge's early days in comments below!
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One of our neighbors located this picture a while back, and I realized it might be interesting to share. It's a promo from the early 80s for the HBPD's "new" helicopter, but in the background you get a great view of our community and its surroundings. (Click on the picture for a larger view.)
What differences do you see? I find it interesting to see the original landscaping on Tempe - and how little there was next to Mother's Beach. I don't find the original paint color so horrible, though I like our current version a lot better.
I actually think the most interesting change occurred not at Seabridge, but at neighboring Sea Gate. I had no idea the buildings were originally a different color! I think the current blue/yellow is more timeless than the brown earth tones of the late 70s.
It's also strange for me to think that I was just entering high school around the time this was taken...
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Sorry I didn't think to post something on this sooner, but I just was reminded of it. Maybe it will still be helpful to some of you.
First, a caveat that these are just my own observations, so I do not know the official progress on the entry gate project or formal instructions on how to let guests in. There used to be a printed sign on the telephone keypad out front, but someone told me it's no longer there. No wonder people are scratching their heads on what to do!
If you are trying to use the entry code (published in previous newsletters), you no longer precede it with "#". Instead, there is a little picture of a key. You press the key that has that picture 2 times, then enter the 4-digit entry code. An enthusiastic voice will shout "Access granted!" and you'll be on your way into Seabridge.
For those of you who used to use a certain man's first name, that no longer works, and it's my understanding that once the system is fully implemented, everyone will have their own entry code that they can share with their vendors and guests.
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Many of us have opinions on decisions being made by the board on behalf of our community. I'd venture to say many of us have far more than two cents worth (or as the British originally said, a tuppence worth). So, here are my two cents on what you might do with yours.
First, put your thoughts or concerns in writing. Give it a day or two, read it again, and see if you still feel the same way. Consider running it by someone else for additional ideas and grammar review. Then, send it to the board AND property manager and ask them to consider your points and respond. A well-written and considered letter or e-mail is often appreciated by the board members.
Your convictions are further underscored when you then attend the next board meeting to follow-up in person. Each board meeting has an open homeowner forum at the beginning. Your points can be made way more effectively when you've already given the board a chance to think about them. In addition, you have a public session in which other homeowners can hear your position on issues. Advance communication may even prompt the board to put your issue on the agenda.
So, if there's something you your mind, you have an excellent opportunity in that the next board meeting is Tuesday, December 18th at 7PM in the clubhouse.
One last thought - different board members have different approaches to receiving homeowner input, but when I was on the board, I never much cared for hearing concerns that were brought to my attention in person outside a meeting. Certainly, stopping a board member is a lot easier than contacting the management company, but remember too that these are our neighbors with private lives to lead. At a minimum, consider contacting them first to see if they are willing to talk to you outside a board meeting and consider making an appointment. But do continue to share your two cents, as you are probably voicing what a lot of other people are thinking.
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I was out walking around Trinidad Island this morning and noted how nice the snow continued to look in the mountains, and how calm the water was. So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to head once again to my secret photo vantage point (end of Grimaud Lane) and capture another view of Seabridge and the snow. This time, it's cool to compare the cloudless sky and more pronounced reflection with the remnants of the storm present in yesterday's picture. I think both are neat in their own way. I also have to add that the "new" exterior paint color scheme sure looks sharp at all times of the year, but especially in these shots.
Brrr! Just looking at it makes me feel colder. You can view the updated set of weekend photos here.
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Who says we don't get snow in Southern California? We just don't need to dig out from it and drive in it! Feel free to send this link to all your friends and family back East ;-)
If you're looking for the white stuff a little closer to home, it "snows" daily at Bella Terra.
And for some pictures from the boat parade - and a rare rainbow sighting at Seabridge, click here.
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OK, I admit it - one of my guilty pleasures is reading the Register from time to time to check out the Police Blotter. I don't do it very often, but when I am able, I get quite an insight into daily life in our city. Giant Toilet Falls Off Truck, Nude Woman, Group Perform "Ritual", Car Washer Workers Crash Customer's Car - you couldn't make these up if you tried. What's your favorite? I kind of like 'Angel' smashes pumpkins and Police called on rude lemonade sellers.
We're fortunate to very seldom read about our own community in there (though the lemonade incident was dangerously close). So you can imagine my surprise to learn that I missed one a few weeks back:
Woman's $588,000 Check Turns Out To Be Counterfeit
If anyone gets a real check for $588,000, call me...
Return to Seabridge Journal home page. |  |  |
December is undoubtedly one of my favorite times of year at Seabridge. Where and when else can you have views like this at your doorstep?
Just one more week until the boat parade! Best wishes for happy holidays to all!
So, does anyone else feel like you're living an episode of the 1900 House? At least it's nice to learn I'm not alone in being out of power.
What a jolting reminder, though, of how dependent we are on electricity here. The first few minutes were fine, but as we go longer without it I realize I can't open the refrigerator for fear of its getting warm. No oatmeal for me this morning, since neither the stove nor microwave are operable. The laundry came to a grinding halt. And I'm glad I didn't have plans to go anywhere fast, because now I have to remember where the key to the electric garage door release is!
Most embarassingly, I've realized how much I use the internet (in case it wasn't obvious!) Fortunately, laptop battery and cell phone modem have come to the rescue! (sheesh...)
Here's hoping we're back on line soon.
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I've had several conversations with people lately regarding changes to our gated entry system and proposed revisions to the CC&Rs. The upshot of all of those conversations is that there is a lot of confusion. So I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts regarding communication. I'd be interested in what you all think.
Of all the things we do as an association, communication is one of the most critical. Proper communication can make a difficult task easier - just as lack of communication can torpedo a project, possibly for the wrong reasons.
As I said in the title, communication is a two-way street. In the one direction, we have the board of directions/association management. There may sometimes be a temptation to limit communication there, for the more people know, the more varied opinions get expressed. Homeowners who show up once for the "issue of the day" have no idea about the background of the matter, and that takes a lot of the board's time away from other pressing matters.
But sooner or later, the homeowners will speak up, so I believe it's important to communicate to them up front and often. It's a lot easier to defend an action when you can cite a trail of communication. Most homeowners still have little understanding of the entry gate system replacement, including the justification for doing so, the current status of the project, and how residents can grant access to guests. The board may feel that it has communicated this adequately, but that perception is not shared equally. It's time for an update.
I have witnessed a conscious effort from the board to inform homeowners. I received a flyer via US mail regarding the special meeting of the board to discuss proposed CC&R changes. I also was informed via e-mail when the date of the regular November meeting of the board needed to be changed. These are very positive actions, and we can only benefit further through more of them - a beefed-up e-mail notification list, regularly updated website, revived newsletter, and additional mailings would all help in this regard. Homeowners shouldn't be able to cite lack of notification as an excuse.
And on that note, the other direction of our two-way street involves the duties of the homeowners. We homeowners have a responsibility to remain aware - and to attend meetings if we are not getting communication in other ways. The board should provide multiple opportunities for participation on major issues, but should not have to accommodate the homeowner who waits until the 11th hour to object. If you have feedback, make sure the board knows it. A brief but well-written letter or e-mail to the board and management can go a long way. Many times, the input is very much appreciated by the board, who are volunteers and have busy lives like the rest of us. The more information they have available to them in a timely manner, the better decisions they can make on behalf of us all.
What do you think we can all do to improve communication here? Seabridge Journal is intended to be a piece of the solution, but it cannot stand alone. We also benefit from proactive, repeated communication from the board, and from consistent homeowner participation. I'm looking forward to your ideas in comments below.
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I have some extra time on my hands so I'm trying to catch up on things around the house. One thing I've been noticing is how much longer it's taking me to dry clothes lately - a sure sign that the lint has been building up in my dryer vents. And the design of some of our units leads to long vents with several turns along the way. Such a design can contribute to faster lint build-up.
So yesterday, I called out a company to get those cleaned out. It's not the cheapest thing in the world, but the costs of not doing so are something to consider. Did you know that dryer fires have surpassed chimney fires in terms of number of incidents in the US? They are also the cause of several high-profile events right here in Orange County. Click here for all you ever wanted to know about the anatomy of a dryer vent fire. And don't ever leave the dryer on while you're away.
Furthermore, getting those vents cleaned out is a great way to save on your gas and electric bill. My clothes drying time just got cut in half.
This is not an endorsement of any company, but if you've been meaning to get those vents cleaned and just needed a push, here are some local companies that do so:
Oliver Twist Chimney Sweep - 714.843.9944
Nuflo Dryer Vent Cleaning - 714.231.4326
Or in easy cases, you might be able to do an adequate job yourself. With the holidays coming up, let's all keep an eye on potential dangers and keep them safe for us all!
Here are a few interesting recent news items.
Edinger Project Update - There's a nice feature in yesterday's OC Register regarding this project and what's coming next - IF they can get enough financial support from the community. I think we'd all agree that it's looking much better already and could really benefit from some additional donations.
Pedestrian Accidents - It seems like I read a story like this each week. Whether you are walking, driving, or biking, please keep a close eye on the road and traffic. It only takes one short moment to mess up someone's life.
Next Board meeting is November 20th. I hope to have some comments from the November 6th special CC&R session posted soon. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions on these for the board, don't miss your ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to share those with the board NOW.
Registered users may click here for the story.
E-mail readers, click Trick Or Treat title above for full story.
Well, there weren't very many, but at least the quality of trick-or-treaters was very good this year. Here's a shot of the large mob that arrived at my doorstep this past week. I'm sure you can make out who the culprits are.
This will also serve as a reminder about the CC&R meeting this coming Tuesday, November 6th at 6PM in the Clubhouse. Be sure to attend and tell your neighbors. This meeting has far-reaching impact and as such, you don't want to miss the initial stages of the effort. Furthermore, we all benefit when the wishes of the community as a whole are heard at the outset of such a project, not late in the game. Let's all stay well informed on the CC&R revisions.
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No, not that kind of surfing! Although it looks to be a great day to be out at the beach, I'm referring to web-surfing. I have a bit of unexpected time on my hands, so I thought I'd check out what's of note regarding our city and neighborhood.
Are you prepared for disaster? - As someone who thought long and hard about whether to move to Earthquake Country, I'm pathetically unprepared when it comes to readiness. It's always a good idea to put plans into place and stock up. I think the writer makes an excellent point about "do the math" - 11 fire trucks for 200,000 residents. I think too often, even at Seabridge, we fall into the assumption that someone else will take care of things for us. The primary responsibility lies with each of us.
The Local HB - I just stumbled upon this site, and it seems to work hard to create a local experience. Especially as it has coupons for Brix and Slowfish, spots that I know are favorites of Seabridge residents, it's worth checking out.
Speaking of Slowfish - I was there on Friday night, and it was packed. It's nice that we have some great local restaurants nearby. In addition to Slowfish, we have Cafe Gazelle (has anyone tried it?) and Sea Siam. I lament that none are in walking distance, but I'll get by.
An impromptu gathering of neighbors was held in the wee hours of Saturday morning. The reason? The 43rd Annual Head of the Charles Regatta, in which resident David Gleeson was competing. Thanks to modern technology, we in California gathered in pajamas and were able to watch the live webcast at 5:30 AM.
And while I'm hardly a morning person, some things are worth rolling out of bed for. This event was one of those, with David delivering a solid first place finish in his category! (David gave new meaning to the term giving chase).
Hearty congratulations to David from his Seabridge fan base!
(I would also like to note that Seabridge Journal scooped even the Boston Globe in bringing you this news first.)
Registered homeowners may click here to read the story.
So, Seabridge Journal has been around about 3 months now. I'd like to know whether you find it worthwhile. I don't necessarily write anything expecting feedback, but one of my goals is to help increase community and communication, so I'd like to know if you think it's beneficial. What features do you find most useful?
If you find this blog helpful, you can assist by sharing the website with others. Do your neighbors read/subscribe to Seabridge Journal? Maybe they would be interested in learning about it from you...
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As I mentioned in the earlier post, it had been a while since I checked the website of the California Condo Guru, Beth Grimm, so I thought I'd pay it a visit. There were some interesting updates, and below I'll share with you some of the ones I found to be most interesting.
Earthquake Insurance - What are some of the things we should be thinking about? What risks are we willing to take on? What risks are we putting on our neighbors? This is an interesting perspective on the topic.
Additional Perspective on Earthquake Insurance - some additional considerations on the subject
Homeowner Conduct - It's all too easy to focus on what the board does, but sometimes it's helpful to think about how we homeowners conduct ourselves. Even if we don't engage in such behavior ourselves, we might know of someone who does.
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It's been a while since I've written about the California Condo Guru, but I'll have to remember to check her work more often. It's always insightful and relevant.
For example, I recently came across a post from August entitled "Should Agendas Be Required With Meeting Notices?". It discussed a bill pending in the State Legislature that requires boards of HOAs to post agendas prior to meetings, and to only discuss items on the agenda. I've long been an advocate of getting meeting topics out to people in advance, so that homeowners can know what the board plans to discuss, and they can share their opinions on those topics in open forum. How can the board hear from homeowners on projects like entry gate upgrades if homeowners don't know prior to a meeting that this topic will be acted on? Nonetheless, I was still a bit surprised when I went to check on the status of the bill and found it had been signed into law by the governor on September 26th.
So, it will be interesting to see how our board and management company handle the requirement, and where the agenda will be posted. There is the community bulletin board in the pool area, but I would love to see it available on-line, via the association's website.
This also provides me with the opportunity to remind you that there is a board meeting tomorrow, October 16th at 7PM in the Clubhouse. As I understand it, the law is already in effect, so it will be interesting to see how it's followed. I do recognize that it's less than a month old and often difficult to keep on top of every new requirement.
UPDATE 10/17/07: - I was once again impressed with Morgen Hardigree, who was aware of this bill's passing and explained that it would be taking effect 1/1/08. (I still have not seen any dates in the bill, so if someone out there understands the process and can explain how we know when it takes effect, enlighten me!) I am also pleased to report that the board president and management supported making agendas and minutes available to homeowners via the website. That was really the key thing for me, as it's important that you understand what work the board is doing on your behalf, and that you have a chance to participate in a meaningful way.
UPDATED 10/20/07: - The California Legislative Information website explains that most bills that are signed into law take effect January of the following year. Only urgency bills and certain other measures take effect immediately. Still, I hope that the board gets an early start on the spirit of the measure.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.Registered homeowners may click here to read the story.
Also, don't forget the regular monthly board meeting, next Tuesday, October 16th at 7PM in the Clubhouse.
One of our neighbors shared these Pearls of Wisdom from CAI, the Community Associations Institute. CAI puts out some pretty good educational material for homeowners associations, and I think this is right in line with their other stuff.
You may read it and think they are obvious - but it's amazing how many people live in HOAs - or lead HOAs - and have little awareness of these. I think it's well worth a read.
Among my favorites...
1. Review the covenants, conditions and restrictions
(CC&Rs) and other association documents before you buy a home.
2. Read them again when you move in. It's amazing to me how we can all manage to remember just our favorite ones. Or think that we never agreed to abide by them.
6. Follow the rules.
7. Serve on a committee.
8. Serve on the board or, at a minimum, attend board meetings.
9. Don’t expect someone else to do it for you. Amen.
28. Use CAI courses and information to learn how to run a community association and work most effectively with others in your community.
29. Study the documents before you enforce them.
123. Conduct surveys to gauge community opinion and solicit input.
How about you? Which ones resonate with you? Share your thoughts in the Comments...
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But I still think it's very cool.
And share with us in the Comments which way it was turning for you! (counterclockwise for me)
This is another in a continuing series of article regarding local news items you may find interesting.
Pinkberry hits HB - Have you heard of the Pinkberry craze? The taste that launched 1000 parking tickets? Heck, they even have a wikipedia entry. Well, the first Orange County one opened in Bella Terra last night, and this reporter was on the scene earlier this week to scope it out for you. (Verdict: I prefer Beachberries).
Edinger Project - The groundbreaking gets underway this month, but the group still needs to raise money to take advantage of a city grant. I thought it might be nice to bundle some contributions from Seabridge when I attend a meeting at the end of this month - would anyone be interested in doing so? Please comment below. The contributions would be from the individual, but I would present with a Seabridge "wrapper" to highlight our community's support.
Trivia Night - There's a nice promo in the Wave for the Literacy Volunteers' Trivia Challenge on October 25th. We're hoping to fill the Library Auditorium with spectators. It's free - so please feel free to join us. There will be an opportunity drawing for cool prizes, and the proceeds support literacy programs, so I hope you can make it.
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Our own Bill and Bryan Schubert, joined by Bill's sister Mimi, competed in the Long Beach Triathlon on September 23rd.
Although this was Bryan's first triathlon, he's no stranger to them, as he has watch bothed mom and dad participate in years past. And clearly, he is off to a great start, finishing the 11 mile bike ride in 46 minutes, and averaging 14 miles per hour. All in all, "Team Schubert" finished a respectable 26 out of 34 teams.
Be sure to congratulate Bill and Bryan as you see them around the community! Even better, plan to cheer them on as they compete in their next one. Bryan is already planning to participate in triathlons in San Diego and Newport Beach next Spring.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.Did you or anyone you know lose a video iPod over the weekend? If so, it's been found. Contact me with information regarding the player and its contents, and we'll reunite you!
I was curious about the status of the Edinger project. You may recall from a previous post that a funding component was going before the City Council last Monday. While the council meeting minutes are not yet on-line, I found that you can easily access the section of the meeting where it was discussed via video (where it says "Jump To", be sure to select "City Council (Submitted by Councilmember Green)" near the bottom of the list). I think it's worth the 10 minutes of so to watch the video - you learn a lot about this project and how well the people leading it are received by the council - but I'll also give you the spoiler: the city has pledged a match so that we increase our chances of getting an OCTA grant.
I think it's important for residents to see where our councilmembers stand on issue - and this is certainly an issue that affects all of us who live at Seabridge. I was also interested to learn that the groundbreaking will be next month.
One final word: the Sea Isle Garden Club has done an outstanding job in leading this effort. You can continue to help with your donations, and with the lobbying effort. Be sure to check out how their passion comes through during public comments (jump to "Public Comments" under the video.
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What a glorious morning! It's really true that you never seem to fully appreciate something until you've had to do without it. While the storm wasn't quite the monster they predicted and barely made a dent into our rainfall totals, the cleansing effect of the rain is a welcome start to our weekend. Whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope it's an enjoyable one.
A lazy Saturday morning gave me the opportunity to catch up on some writing and also play around with blog features. I hope that you'll enjoy the new slideshow to the left, and that you'll also find the new articles interesting and informative.
I've also made it easier to see the most recent comments (also on the right). If you enjoy this blog, your comments are the best "tips" you can leave. What features do you like? What suggestions do you have for stories? I enjoy having a two-way conversation on our community and why we live here.
"It never rains in Southern California" - Albert Hammond
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.Registered homeowners may click here for story.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.Registered homeowners may click here for story.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.Registered homeowners may click here for story.
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E-mail readers, click on title above to read full story. Well, it's official: we're getting a new area code, and it's going to be an overlay. So, none of us at Seabridge will be losing our 714 designation - BUT - if you get a new phone, it might have a 657 area code. And you will now need to dial all 10 digits of a telephone number, even if you and the person you're calling both have 714 numbers.
With my cell phone, I have been dialing 10 digit numbers for years, so I don't think it's going to affect me much at all. My biggest regret is that it doesn't spell anything cool.
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E-mail readers, click on the title above for the full story. We could possibly be in for the biggest September storm in 20 years.
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There's a nice feature in today's OC Wave about Seabridge resident, Marti Davis.
The Register did a stellar job of finding out things even neighbors don't know - wow, Engelbert Humperdinck's SoCal photographer! So be sure to commend Marti on the publication of her novel - maybe we can give her a little recognition around Seabridge!
In other news, the City Council has voted to pursue red light cameras, initially along Beach Boulevard. If you, like me, wondered what constitutes a red light violation, you can learn more here. Finally, no word on whether the Sea Isle Garden Club received city funds for the Edinger project. If you know, please post a comment here.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
-- Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
Tonight's board meeting was an interesting one. I'll write up some commentary shortly - just a reminder that information from board meetings is in the password-protected section of the blog. If you are interested in accessing that, and if you're a Seabridge homeowner, shoot me an e-mail with a link to the right. That way, you'll have access when that write-up is added.
One comment I will make here: I appreciate Julian Solomons' and Debra Wychgel's recognition that this blog has nothing to do with the Seabridge board of directors, and that content of people's personal websites is not a concern of the board. Please scroll to the bottom of the page to read the disclaimer that's been there since Day One. There are a lot of issues facing our association, and those received minimal time this evening because other matters dominated.
And to the 16 people who have been asking board members about this blog, welcome - I'm happy for the new readers!
"O, what man within him hide
Though angel on the outward side!"
-- Measure for Measure (III, ii)
Just a reminder that there is a board meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 7PM in the Clubhouse. I've witnessed several instances when people show up to express concern about a decision after it has been made. In fairness to the board, they are not mind readers and can't always know what the hot buttons of the community are unless you share your opinions before key decisions.
I received a preliminary agenda from management and here are some of the topics that may be discussed; please realize that the final agenda is subject to changes by the board and/or management.
Hope to see you there.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.Seems like tomorrow's council meeting will be an interesting one. I've already noted the study on red light cameras, and now I see the council will be taking up an item to spend city money on the Edinger project. This effort stands to benefit us all, so if you support it, please consider taking a few minutes to share your opinions with the city council. A call or e-mail can go a long way, as can a 3-minute public comment, should you be able to attend tomorrow's meeting in person.
You can read more about the topic (Agenda item H.1a) in the agenda here.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.
I found this recent article from the OC Register interesting. This week, the HB City Council will be discussing the installation of red light cameras within the city.
I drive to work each day up Valley View, and a few years back started encountering two of these cameras in Garden Grove. I was initially against them, but as I read up more, I learned how they operate. And now I think they're a pretty good thing. It seems like barely a day goes by that I don't read about another accident at one of our city's major intersections. As with most things, the cameras can be used properly and they can be abused, but it will be interesting to see how the council votes.
Just a reminder that the next meeting of the board of directors is this coming Tuesday, September 18th at 7PM in the clubhouse. While I'm not sure of the specific agenda, these meetings are always a good way to stay informed and share input with the board before they make critical decisions.
It is also the opportunity to say goodbye to Brenda Cooney, and meet our new property manager from Cardinal Property Management, who will be observing this sesssion before Cardinal takes the reigns on October 1st.
I was recently talking with my sister about Huntington Beach, and we agreed that for a city of almost 200,000, it's the biggest small town we've ever lived in! There's something about this area - maybe it's the harbour in particular - that has a great community feel to it.
In that spirit, I pass along some of the more enlightening community news items I've read recently, with the hope that you might find them interesting as well.
Edinger Project - looks like the first part of the work is getting underway soon. We'll all benefit from this project and I'm sure the Seal Isle Garden Club would welcome further help.
Bolsa Chica wetlands footbridge - Do you visit the wetlands? If so, you'll be happy to hear the news of a new footbridge so you don't have to walk across the Warner bridge.
Hmm, I sure don't feel it - you're living in the 51st richest place in the US, based on household income. Guess who's #1 - and it's NOT Newport Beach.
Like Father, Like Son - Cool NY Times piece on the son of Seabridge resident Julian Solomons
Let me know (via the comments feature) if you find this type of story helpful, and perhaps I'll implement it as an occasional feature.
Return to Seabridge Journal home page.
Last night, the automatic e-mail updates kicked in again, but the message below on latest changes wasn't included on that, so I think it's worth repeating:
Much of the blog is now open again to the public; you don't need a password to read most featured articles. You can also once again us the link on the right to subscribe to automatic e-mail updates (and if you received this by e-mail, you're already set).
Anything related specifically to community association affairs is still password-protected, because those topics really just concern homeowners. You can request access to those areas by clicking the link at the right. I apologize in advance, because if you had access before, you need to request it again.
Finally, just a plug for comments - this blog is really the most interesting when it's interactive. If you have something new to add to the discussion, click on the link under any post that says "Comments", and add your two cents. The only thing I ask is that you identify yourself by name.
Some of you may know that I have been involved as a literacy tutor over at the Oak View library, and for the past 2 years I've served on the Board of Directors for the program. In my role as director, one of my responsibilities is to assist with fundraising. So I thought I'd get the word out about an event we're having on October 25th at 7PM - a Trivia Challenge over at the Central Library. 10 local teams will be competing, and we'd love to have a full house there to watch them. Best of all, the event is FREE. We just want a good turnout for our contestants who are making a donation to play. There will also be great opportunity drawings. It promises to be fun.
This is also a great time for me to let people know that we always need volunteers for the program. The time commitment is a few hours per week, and you can work the specifics out with your student. So if you've been looking for a way to get involved in the community, please contact the program for more information. (Tutor training is provided periodically throughout the year, and there is a class coming up)
Finally, you can help our programs out without even leaving your computer. Do you buy books? appliances? car exhaust systems or a million other on-line items? If you buy anything from amazon.com and start your search through this link on the right, a percentage of your purchase will go to our programs. It costs you nothing extra and helps us out in a big way. If you do support Literacy Volunteers in this way, thank you very much!
I've made some fun food discoveries lately, and I think they are worth sharing.
The first is a really interesting concept call the CSA. CSA stands for "Community Supported Agriculture", and you can think of it as a step above a farmer's market. Rather than sell to a wholesaler or at a farmer's market, the farmer picks produce for a group of subscribers who support the farm. The one I just joined is run by Morning Song Farm, between Temecula and Escondido. They drop off the produce down in Costa Mesa, at a new restaurant called the Old Vine Cafe. For $42.50 a week, I get a large basket of produce that was picked that day, all organic, and all grown within 80 miles of our home (most of the food we get in the supermarket travels at least 1500 miles). I tell you, you really notice the difference in taste - it's the next best thing to growing it myself.
As it turns out, the cool thing about Morning Song Farm in particular is that they have a real variety of fruits and vegetables, and they change with the seasons throughout the year. The blackberries have been great recently, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming pomelos and macadamia nuts. Here's what I received in my basket this past week:
Swiss Chard – 1 bunch
Heirloom Beans – 1 bag
Baby Carrots – 1 bunch
Baby Lettuce – 2 bags
Basil – 1 bunches
Zucchini – 3
Tatsoi – 3 bunches
Beets – 1 bunch
Tomatoes – 2 small containers
Blackberries – 2 small containers
Melons – 2
Lemons – 3
Limes – 8
Small asian pears – 12
Rosemary – 1 bunch
Mint – 1 bunch
And the second great discovery is the Old Vine Cafe itself. I just learned of it because it's the closest drop-off point for my basket, but I took the time to meet some friends and enjoy dinner there when I picked up the produce this past week. I didn't realize what a treat it would be - Chef Mark McDonald takes the freshest and most interesting ingredients, and turns them into culinary delights. We enjoyed 8 small plates among the 4 of us and left satisfied. Among our dishes were olive bruschetta, octopus carpaccio, quinoa jambalaya and a wonderful antipasto. Apparently I wasn't alone in my appreciation for the food - the OC Register just gave them a nice review, and we almost couldn't get a table without a reservation on a Wednesday night! Along with the food, they have a great wine list, and believe both food and wine should be accessible and affordable. I'm hoping to try out one of their wine and cheese Monday nights sometime soon.
What's your latest food discovery near Seabridge? Share the scoop in the comments section!
As I wrote about in this post, I implemented in July some changes to restrict Seabridge Journal to homeowners only. While I still believe this is appropriate for some articles posted here, blogger/google doesn't make the login process very easy. As a result, I lost regular readers, and it's no fun talking to myself. In addition, some people are under the impression that only certain homeowners can participate. That's not correct. Had I been asked about this, I would have cleared up any confusion.
Still, I realize that the password features weren't very friendly, and that didn't help matters either. It struck me that I could actually have two blogs - one for public consumption, and one for homeowners only. I've given them the same look and feel, and tied them together with common links. And that way, readers can also get better information about how it works and how they can access things.
You'll still need to sign up if you want access to the private section - see the info on the right.
Best of all, the open nature of the public section allows me to revive the "subscribe via e-mail" feature. Just enter your e-mail address on the right, and you'll be notified automatically of any new posts, within a day of posting.
I hope you'll agree that this should improve Seabridge Journal all around, and that helps me with my mission of communicating news and topics of interest to the community.
When I was learning to drive, my dad was the worst person to have riding along with me. It wasn't that he was a bad driver - rather, he was a very good driver but quite picky. I recall one of his gripes in particular was that I wouldn't start braking soon enough. I didn't see what the problem was - I knew that we were going to be able to stop in time. Fast forward 20 years, when I recently had a teenager driving me around in my own car, and I got a good feel for how it felt to wonder if you were going to plow into the car in front!
Now as I'm driving, I'm continually reminded of all the habits and techniques I learned from my father, and I really appreciate what he shared with me. I think I'm a better driver for them. That doesn't mean that he knew everything, or that he never got a speeding ticket himself (though I don't think he ever did). I may have even gone on to become a better driver than he was for all I know. But I do know that his guidance helped keep me from learning a lot of things the hard way.
I am reminded of my teenage driving when I think of our board of directors. No one likes a back seat driver. We've all at one time or another gone into something thinking we know everything we need, and oftentimes suggestions come across as criticism and lack of confidence in the driver. It's not easy to stomach - and it's not always right. But there's something to be said to listening to what others who have gone through it have to say. It may just be important in preventing a collision or getting pulled over for an infraction of the law.
I remember thinking many times, "Fine, if you can drive better, I'll pull over and let you take the wheel!" And we similarly need to remember that our board members are all volunteers who have taken on a responsibility that few others were willing to do. Having them behind the wheel lets us nap during the drive or frees us up to watch the scenery pass by - and for that we owe them a debt of gratitude. But community service, like driving, is a privilege and carries responsibilities, among which is the duty to understand the rules of the road. And if someone has driven down a road before and returned to say that the road is washed out, then it's worth considering whether it's a good idea to take the car down it, even though the driver has every right to do so.
They say misery loves company...
I thought I was alone in wondering how in the world I could be suffering mosquito bites when we're in the driest year on record. But as I talked with neighbors, I learned that we're all "feeling the sting"
As it turns out the OC Register reports a problem at Bolsa Chica Reserve that's contributing to our woes. Hopefully they're gone in 2 weeks or less.
