White Christmas?

E-mail readers, click "White Christmas" link above for full story and picture.

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.

Return to Seabridge Journal home page.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

E-mail readers, click on "Let It Snow" title above for picture and full story.

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.

Return to Seabridge Journal home page.

Giant Toilet Falls Off Truck

E-mail readers, click "Giant Toilet" link above for full story.

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.

Happy Holidays!

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!

Lights Out

E-mail readers, click on "Lights Out" title above for full story.

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.

Return to Seabridge Journal home page.

Communication - A Two-Way Street

E-mail readers, click "Communication - A Two-Way Street" title above for the full article.

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.

Return to Seabridge Journal home page.

A Dry Subject for a Wet Day

E-mail readers, click on "A Dry Subject..." title above for full story.

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!