After days without power, cable, and for some, internet access, we’re back on line. The weather continues to be extremely stormy, with high winds and continuous snow fall.
We encourage you to check the “Webcam” tab, as well as the “Bulletin Board” tab, and add your comments about weather conditions in Arnold. This is a great venue to keep all Lilac Park residents informed. Thank you!
(If you need the password, send us an email, and we’ll send it to you.)
Power has been restored to Lilac Park as of 5pm yesterday (Tuesday, March 22 – it went out on Sunday, 3/20 around 11:00am), but Comcast service to much of the area remains non-operational. No ETA has been given as to when it will be restored.
We will keep you up-to-date via posts here on the ALPHA site and by e-mail.
Winter Storms Continue to Dump Snow
More snow is forecast for the Sierras and Arnold is expected to get more in the coming days. As always, please be prepared for winter driving conditions and carry chains. Be sure to check the road conditions (view ‘Road Reports’ to left) before heading into the mountains.
Clear 100 feet for fire safety (or to your property line, whichever is nearest — as required by California Public Resources Code 4291
Remove Dead Vegetation
First 30 ft – Remove everything that is DEAD: dead trees, branches, brush, all dry grass, leaves, and pine needles.
Next 70 feet — Remove ALL dead trees and brush.
Dry, cut grass, leaves and pine needles MAY STAY on the ground.
Thin and Separate Live Vegetation
Prune Your Trees
For more detailed information and information regarding required burn permits, click here. To download a CalFire PDF Flyer on burnpile safety, click here.
Cal Fire annual inspections to begin soon.
Lot Cleaning Services
These cleaning services are in no particular order. Arnold Lilac Park Homeowners Association makes no endorsement or recommendation of ANY lot cleaning services. These are listed for your convenience only.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the March Arnold Lilac Park Homeowner’s Association meeting has been cancelled. The next schedule meeting will be on Saturday, April 2, 2011.
The ALPHA “Spring” web site will launch in mid-March. Fear not! None of the functionality will change and you’ll still find all of the same great content, we’re just updating the colors and layout slightly to correspond with the coming of Spring.
Good news! As of 4:00 PM this afternoon, power is back on! If you’re coming up to Arnold, be prepared to shovel your way into your driveway and home. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful winter wonderland in Arnold
2/18/11 @ 1800 – Power is back on in many parts of Arnold and, per various reports, most of Lilac Park. It is still snowing, but plows have been running all day and roads are currently free of heavy snow. This is going to change overnight as more snow is in the forecast through tomorrow afternoon. Skies are expected to clear on Sunday.
Be advised. As of Friday, 2/18/11 0800, weather conditions in Arnold are severe. As much as two feet of snow has fallen overnight, road conditions are treacherous, and much of the town is currently without power.
There are a number of trees down throughout the area, but crews have been dispatched to begin the cleanup. However, efforts will be slow because of the ongoing severe winter weather. Snow continues to fall in the area.
PG & E crews are still assessing damage and determining which areas are without power. They are not willing to make any estimates on restoring power to Arnold as of this posting.
If you travel into the Sierras, please be prepared and plan ahead for severe winter weather.
A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect until Noon, 2/19/11.
Read the Severe Weather Alert Here.
Ok we admit: this is late in the season and there isn’t a lot of snow on the ground right now. But there are a series of storms moving in this week and being prepared for winter driving conditions in the mountains can save you a lot of time and trouble. It can even save your life. Be prepared.
Avoid driving while you’re fatigued.
Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
Carbon Monoxide kills.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Check your tires, check your car.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated. Check your antifreeze level. Make sure your washer fluid is made for cold weather.
Use common sense.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Steer into a slide.
If your steering wheel is turning but your car isn’t, you’re in a slide. Always look and steer where you want to go.
Buckle up.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Drive slowly. Speed limit is 25mph on snow and ice.
Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
Increase following distance.
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds or more. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes.
Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don’t stop if you can avoid it.
There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling, especially on hills.
Don’t power up hills.
Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
Don’t stop going up a hill.
There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
Stay home.
If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.
Carry chains, even with 4wd.
Even though your chances of using them are small, chains can save you. 4wd and Awd units can and do fail. Many people don’t think about servicing their 4wd power train. Don’t get stuck.
Make up a Winter Driving Kit
Plastic carry-all totes are inexpensive and can hold just about everything you need. If you frequently drive in winter conditions, consider the following for your kit:
California Civil Code 1365 requires that all homeowners receive a copy of their homeowner’s association Pro Forma Budget, other related documents, and disclosures on an annual basis. Our first Pro Forma Budget and other documents, will be ready for distribution in February 2011.
As of 2010, the law allows Homeowner Associations to provide this document electronically, through our website, if we have written authorization from homeowners.
I need your help.
Please let me know if you would like to receive the 2011 Pro Forma Budget by US mail, or if you will be able to access it through our website: www.arnoldlilacparkhoa.org
(ONCE IT IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND POSTED TO THE WEBSITE IN FEBRUARY.)
Your choices are:
1. Send it US mail.
2. I will access it through the website.
P.S. The Pro Forma Budget and associated documents should be distributed no more than 60 and no less than 30 days prior to the beginning of our fiscal year. We realize we are late this year, but we commit to having our 2012 Pro Forma Budget ready for distribution in a timely manner.
Ok we admit: this is late in the season and there isn’t a lot of snow on the ground right now. But there are a series of storms moving in this week and being prepared for winter driving conditions in the mountains can save you a lot of time and trouble. It can even save your life. Be prepared.
