This is just a reminder that if you have not paid your 2013 assessment, it’s due by April 30 to avoid late fees. Any payments postmarked later than April 30 will be considered late regardless of the date on your check.
For those that have not paid yet, a paper invoice will be mailed within the next few days.
If you have questions about your assessment, please contact the Board of Directors by email to info@arnoldlilacparkhoa.org or by telephone to 209.795.3807.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Just this past weekend, I received a report that a heathy, mature tree was cut down and partially removed from a homeowner’s property on Summit View. Apparently, the thieves were aware that the homeowners don’t live here full time and took advantage of their absence to steal a tree that was between 18 and 24 inches in diameter from a relatively remote section of the property. This is disturbing.
Over the last year, I’ve heard of several instances of cut firewood and other items being taken from various lots in the area, including Lilac Park. According to reports from several full time homeowners, break-ins over in Blue Lake Springs are up significantly and homeowners are frustrated because law enforcement is stretched pretty thin.
What can we do about it? For starters, make your home less of a target for thieves. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight and don’t leave curtains or blinds open. Consider an alarm system. The police may not be able to respond in time to catch a thief, but a loud alarm siren or bell will likely discourage a bad guy from going into your home should they force open or break a door or window.
If you see someone cutting trees on a Lilac Park lot and they don’t appear to be professionals (or they’re not the owner of the property), report it immediately to the sheriff’s department. Any living tree over 12″ in diameter requires the approval of the HOA and/or the county to remove. Trees already on the ground or that are dead, but still standing, may be removed without permission. All cut timber and slash MUST be removed in a timely fashion.
Recent advances in technology have made Digital Video Recording (DVR) systems relatively inexpensive and widely available. Installation is often no more difficult than installing a DVD player or other home entertainment device and can usually be done by homeowners with basic tools.
Take photos of valuables and record available serial numbers. While the sheriff’s office may not be able to investigate every incident, filing a police report increases your chances of the thieves being caught and the eventual return of your property. Report any theft, no matter how insignificant.
Finally, get to know your neighbors. Having an extra set of eyes on your property is never a bad thing, plus, you can keep an eye on theirs when you’re in town and they’re not.
Many of us come up to the mountains to get away from everyday life. Unfortunately, some elements of life will follow us regardless of where we go. We must be vigilant and take steps to protect our property.
~Mark
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, April 6, at 2pm, at the Arnold Public Library.
All ALPHA homeowners are invited and welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
To view the newsletter, please click HERE.
(requires FREE Adobe Reader, available here)
For questions and comments, please send them to info@arnoldlilacparkhoa.org.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
You can send a check to PO Box 722 Arnold, CA 95223 or you can use your credit card by clicking the following link. (if you need the password, please drop us a note)
http://payments.arnoldlilacparkhoa.org
If you have questions concerning your 2013 assessment, please drop us a line. If you have already made your 2013 payment, please disregard.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The right to use HOA common areas is automatically transferred to tenants of association members, including the ALPHA swimming pool. Homeowners cannot legally preclude tenants from using the pool. Our current method for tenant use of the pool requires the homeowner to complete an authorization form. If the homeowner doesn’t do this, our past policy restricted tenant’s use. This isn’t in line with state law.
That being said, it is also within the law for ALPHA to verify the identity of those using the pool so that it’s use is limited to authorized association members or their tenants.
For 2013, any renter or tenant of any improved lot may use the ALPHA swimming pool after they have provided the board of directors or its agent a copy of their rental or lease agreement.
This shifts the responsibility of registering tenants at the pool from the lot-owner to the tenant. If the tenant wishes to swim, they can do so without having to contact their landlord for authorization. Since the legal right to use the pool is automatically transferred to the tenant anyway, the only thing the tenant has to do is verify that they are a resident of Lilac Park.
A formal pool-use policy is being drafted for this year and will include these new rules along with general pool use information.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, March 9, at 2:00pm, at the Arnold Public Library.
All ALPHA homeowners are invited and welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, February 9, at 10:00am, at the Arnold Public Library.
All ALPHA homeowners are invited and welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10:00am at the Arnold Public Library.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Conditions Update: There is snow coming down in Arnold and Lilac Park. It’s not heavy, but it is sticking and starting to accumulate. If you are headed up, please plan accordingly, bring chains if you need them, and your winter gear. The roads in Lilac Park were plowed this morning. There is 6 to 10 inches on the ground.
The snow level will certainly change, but we saw it starting to stick on Highway 4 at Forest Meadows at around noon.
We hope you all had a great Christmas.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Sgt Chris Hewitt
Release Date: 12/12/12
Release Number: 1
Public Awareness Statement: Possible Phone Scam
(San Andreas, CA) On 12/12/12 the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a possible phone/internet scam. According to the information provided to the sheriff’s office, a person with heavily accented English places phone calls to potential victims and identifies him/herself as being from a company by the name of Microsoft: VTech Solutions. This person then tells you that they have received information from your computer that there is a problem with your computer’s Microsoft programs. They then ask for personal information to access your computer.
This and any similar phone calls are a scam. The caller’s likely intent is to either obtain personal identifying information from you or gain remote access to your computer’s hard drive in order to steal your information. Legitimate companies, such as Microsoft, will not call and solicit information from you. If you should receive any similar phone calls you should tell the caller to remove your number from their database, and then hang up.
How to Protect Yourself:
1. Never provide personal identifying or financial information, including your Social Security Number, birth date, and account numbers or passwords over the internet or phone in communication that you did not initiate.
2. Never click on any link provided in an email you believe to be suspect.
3. If you believe the communication might be legitimate, contact the institution or business yourself using only the phone numbers or internet address found on your account statements.
4. Do not be intimidated by an email or caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not provide or verify financial or personal information.
What to Do if You Fall Victim:
1. If you have disclosed sensitive information in a phishing scheme you should contact your financial institutions immediately and notify them of the situation.
2. You should also contact the fraud division of the three major credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your file. Equifax 800-525-6285; Esperian 888-307-3742; and TransUnion 800-680-7289.
3. Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency and/or the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.
Address/Location
Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office
891 Mountain Ranch Rd
San Andreas, CA 95249
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 209-754-6500
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
We have received a few calls from homeowners who have expressed concern about the drainage (or lack thereof) in Lilac Park. The “gutters” that parallel most streets in our community have become filled with pine needles and debris causing rain runoff to overflow and run across homeowner properties. Ordinarily, this isn’t a big deal, but with the significant amount of wet weather we’ve had recently, some homeowners have had substantial amounts of water running across their property.
The roads in Lilac Park and these gutters next to them are maintained by the Calaveras County Public Works Department.
With government budgets as tight as they are, it’s likely the county won’t have us on any kind of a cleaning schedule but once every so often, if at all. It is our responsibility to let the county know that these drainages need some attention.
Please take a moment and call the Calaveras County Public Works Department between the hours of 8a – 5p Monday – Friday to let them know that the drainage gutters along our streets need to be cleaned up. If they receive enough calls for service, hopefully they’ll get some crews out there before the next big storm comes in.
Their phone number is 209.754.6402
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
SAN ANDREAS — The California Board of Forestry on Wednesday made permanent the widely disliked “fire prevention fee” that forces the owners of more than 800,000 rural homes in California to pay a $115 to $150 annual tax.
Representatives from several rural counties, including Calaveras County Supervisor Darren Spellman, were on hand to remind the board that they oppose the tax.
“I would ask that you do not force rural citizens to pay for mistakes that have been made in the past,” Spellman said. “This is reprehensible.”
The state board members largely ignored such objections, except to say their hands were tied by state law.
Gov. Jerry Brown and the state Legislature came up with the fee in 2011 as a way to help balance the budget. Assembly Bill X129 ordered the Board of Forestry to enact an emergency measure to allow it to collect the tax in 2012.
Such an emergency measure is only good for a year. The law also requires the Board of Forestry to enact a permanent fire prevention fee in time to collect the tax in 2013. That’s what the board did Wednesday.
In Calaveras County, property owners began receiving the first year’s bills in September. The bills went to the owners of 23,244 Calaveras properties.
The fee is assessed only on properties in “state responsibility areas,” where the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is responsible for firefighting. Most of Calaveras County is in a state responsibility area, while San Joaquin County has only a sliver of its eastern edge and a small area in the hills near Tracy in a state responsibility area.
In reality, many rural residents are also served by local fire districts for which they already pay taxes. Property owners with a local fire district get $35 knocked off their fire tax bill, reducing it to $115.
Les Baugh, an elected supervisor for Shasta County, spoke Wednesday on behalf of the Regional Council of Rural Counties, a statewide organization whose members include Calaveras, Shasta and dozens of others.
Baugh said the RCRC opposes the fire tax. He said the tax has had a variety of negative impacts already, including making it more difficult for local fire agencies to ask voters to increase local taxes, undermining the willingness of local fire agencies to respond on a mutual aid basis, and a large number of incorrect bills, with many homeowners double or triple billed.
“The billing and implementation process is already causing substantial confusion,” Baugh said. “This fee is no longer worth the expense of administering it.”
Several Board of Forestry members said they would like to modify the fire tax rules to give homeowners more than 30 days to protest an incorrect bill.
Dean Cromwell, executive director of the Board of Forestry, said staff would look for ways to extend the protest period but might have few options.
“The law says 30 days,” he said of the bill.
Several efforts to overturn that law are under way. In October, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association filed a class-action lawsuit that alleges the law is an illegal tax rather than a fee. Also, state Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, on Monday put forth his first act of the new legislative session: the introduction of a bill to overturn the fee.
Gaines introduced a similar measure last summer that went nowhere.
Our take on this:
It is estimated that almost one-half of Cal-Fire’s annual suppression and prevention budget is used for such activities in the more populated areas of Southern California. In short, Calaveras county and other homeowners in our area are being charged a “fire prevention fee” (it’s a tax) to pay for services that are largely being funneled down south.
As part of our property taxes, most Calaveras County residents already pay to fund and maintain the new fire station on Blagen Road that houses Ebbett’s Pass Fire District. In the event of a fire in our neighborhood, EPFD would be the first responders.
While the ALPHA Board of Directors has no official position on this fee, most board members are against it.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
If you will be in the area, we encourage all who knew Frank to stop by his home here in Lilac Park to let his family know how much he meant to Lilac Park over the last 25+ years.
Most who knew Frank know where his home is, however, if you need directions to his place, please contact the board of directors by email to info@arnoldlilacparkhoa.org.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
On Sunday, November 25, 2012, Frank Samuelson passed away in his sleep after a long battle with complications resulting from a fall at his home in Lilac Park in September 2011. He was 86.
With his service to the Lilac Park Homeowners Association dating back in terms of decades, Frank Samuelson has been one of ALPHA’s longest serving volunteers. For more than 25 years, Frank contributed his time, experience, leadership, and friendship to help make Lilac Park a great place to live.
Frank’s family is planning a memorial in Arnold sometime before Christmas, but no details are available yet. More information to follow.
We’ll miss you Frank. Rest in peace.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
A heavy storm is forecast to hit our area starting tomorrow. The chances of snow aren’t that great in Arnold since this is a “warm” series of storms, but a significant amount of rain is expected between now and Saturday. Snow accumulations are possible above 7,000 feet and at at night.
Four to six inches of rain is forecast for parts of Central California and traveling could be hazardous. Flooding is expected in low-lying areas so plan your trips accordingly and take additional precautions when driving in bad weather at night.
Click “Conditions / Storm Activity” to the right for an active weather map and road conditions.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 10:00am, at the Arnold Public Library.
All ALPHA homeowners are invited and welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announces restriction on burn hours will be lifted on permissive burn days on private lands within the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. This includes the counties of Calaveras, Tuolumne, and those eastern portions of San Joaquin and Stanislaus that are within the State Responsibility Area. Lifting the burn hour restrictions also applies to lands within the Direct Protection Area (DPA) of the Stanislaus National Forest. …
Burn permits are required, which means pile size is still restricted to four foot by four foot. Even with the cooler weather and forecasted rain a fire can still escape. It is critical that the person conducting the burn keep close watch on the fire at all times. If the fire gets away, that person can be held liable for the damage and suppression costs.
Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Brian Kirk adds “Open hours burning on permissive burn days allows home owners to burn debris created while working on 100 feet of defensible space. As we head into the fall season and permissive burn days increase watch your local weather and do not burn or plan to burn on high, gusty windy days.”
It is the landowner’s responsibility to check with the local Air Pollution Control District for permissive days by calling the local APCD office. Pre-recorded information for each county is available at the following phone numbers:
APCD – Calaveras County (209) 754-6600
APCD – Tuolumne County (209) 533-5598
San Joaquin – 1-877-429-2876
Stanislaus NF–DPA Burn Day Information (209) 532-5601
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Arnold Forecast
http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=USCA0043
Severe Weather Alert
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Bulletins.aspx?location=USCA0043
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Even though last winter was mild in terms of precipitation, record snow fall over the winter of 2010/2011 brought a lot of grief to those who travel in the Sierras. One way you can get to your mountain destination safely is to plan your trip, know the conditions, and be prepared. The first step in being prepared is to make sure your vehicle is ready for the hard winter conditions ahead.
AAA recommends the following to help get ready for winter:
Winter Car Care Checklist
Battery and Charging System– Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from an AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities can also test and replace weak batteries.
Battery Cables and Terminals– Check the condition of the battery cables and terminals. Make sure all connections are secure and remove any corrosion from the terminals and posts.
Drive Belts– Inspect belts for cracks or fraying. Don’t just look at the smooth top surface of the belt, but turn it over and check the grooved underside where most belt wear occurs.
Engine Hoses–Visually inspect the cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks or loose clamps. Also, squeeze the hoses to check for any that may be brittle or excessively spongy feeling and in need of replacement.
Tire Type and Tread– In areas with heavy winter weather, changing to snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. All-season tires will work well in light to moderate snow conditions, providing they have adequate tread depth. If any tire has less than 3/32-inches of tread, it should be replaced. Uneven wear on the tires can indicate alignment, suspension or wheel balance problems that should be addressed to prevent further damage to the tires.
Tire Pressure– Check tire pressure more frequently during winter months. As the temperature drops, so will the pressures in the tires — typically 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. And, don’t forget to check the spare.
Air Filter– Check the engine’s air filter by holding it up to a 60-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. However, if the light is blocked by most of the filter, replace it.
Coolant Levels– Check the coolant level when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. The level of antifreeze protection can be checked with an inexpensive tester available at any auto parts store.
Lights– Check the operation of all headlights, taillights, emergency flashers, turn signals, brake lights and back-up lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs.
Wiper Blades – Blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe.
Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. In areas with snowy conditions, consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade in a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow buildup that can prevent good contact between the rubber blade and the glass.
Washer Fluid– Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components for cold weather use.
Brakes– Have brakes inspected by a certified technician to ensure all components are in good working order.
Transmission, Brake and Power Steering Fluids– Check all fluids to ensure they are at or above the minimum safe levels.
Emergency Road Kit – Update the car’s emergency kit for winter weather. The kit should include:
– Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
– Snow shovel
– Snow brush
– Flashlight with extra batteries
– Window washer solvent
– Ice scraper
– Cloth or roll of paper towels
– Jumper cables
– Gloves, hats and blankets
– Warning devices (flares or triangles)
– Drinking water
– Non-perishable snacks (energy or granola bars)
– Extra clothes
– First-aid kit
– Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
– Mobile phone and car charger with important numbers programmed in it, including a roadside assistance provider
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 10:00am, at the Arnold Public Library.
All ALPHA homeowners are invited and welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
What? It’s Christmas already?Well, not quite, but we know that the Holidays are busy for everyone. We wanted to announce this early in order to give ample opportunity to RSVP to anyone who may want to go. Last year’s event was a great success and we hope that you can attend this year’s event.
Come and celebrate the Holidays with your Lilac Park neighbors. If you don’t know any, this is a great opportunity to get to meet some new people who live in your community.
WHAT: Christmas Dinner and Party
Dress is “dinner casual,” this is NOT a coat and tie affair. After all, we’re in the mountains.
WHO: Lilac Park Residents and their guests
As a dinner party, this is a night for adults to “get-away” before the frenetic Christmas Holiday.
WHERE: The Snowflake Lodge, Blue Lake Springs
Click HERE for a map to the Snowflake Lodge in Blue Lake Springs. The lodge is right next to the tennis courts.
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2011
Drinks at 5:30, dinner will be served at 6:30. Ends: Around 9:30 – 10:00
This is a BYOB event and as of this posting, NO decanting/cork fees will be charged.
HOW MUCH: Estimated cost per plate is approximately $30, which includes desert and tip. Menu TBA, but last year included a chicken, fish, and pasta dish.
More information to follow.
RSVP: Please RSVP by November 24, 2011 by clicking below and filling out the short form so we can let the Snowflake Lodge know how many to expect.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Many homeowners are opting to install a portable or permanent whole house generator to keep the lights on during the heaviest winter storms that often blow through our area.
If you are considering the installation of a generator to your home, please do your homework to ensure that your installation is correct. Improper installation can be life threatening to both you and to PG & E linemen working on downed power lines during a storm. It’s best to have your new generator installed by a licensed electrical contractor familiar with generator installation.
– PG & E Info on Generators
– California Energy Commission
Even though these web sites are from areas far away from here, people that live in these areas use generators frequently because of very harsh weather.
– Central Maine Power Utility
– Lakeland Electric Company (A Florida Electric Utility)
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 10:00am, at the ALPHA swimming pool.
All ALPHA homeowners are invited and welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Air temperatures at night have been dropping into the 40’s and the solar panels are only getting about 3 hours of sun in the mid-afternoon. At last check, the pool temperature was only 67 degrees … chilly.
This year saw a big jump in pool use. Almost 80 lot owners used the pool an average of 7 times each resulting in just shy of 1350 bathers this season. We’re not sure because earlier records aren’t that accurate, but several people seem to think that the pool saw record use this year.
We look forward to next year and hope to see you at the pool!
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The Summer / Fall 2012 edition of the Treetop Times, ALPHA’s newsletter, has been published to the web site. Click ‘Newsletter’ on the menu bar above then select the Summer / Fall 2012 edition.
The Treetop Times is published in Adobe PDF format, which requires the Adobe Reader. Get the Adobe Reader free by clicking here.
Paper copies of the Tree Top Times went out on Friday to homeowners who don’t receive email.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Lilac Park falls within the SRA and lot owners are subject to this fee. At present, Lilac Park does not have a form opinion about this fee, though the consensus among homeowners is that the fee was unfairly levied against those in rural areas. Several groups and associations have filed lawsuits to overturn this fee, but none have gone to trial as yet. Lilac Park Homeowners Association will monitor these cases and keep ALPHA residents up to speed as information becomes available.
The fee, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year, is intended to raise an estimated $84 million in its first year for fire-prevention efforts. The annual charge can run as high as $150 for property owners with a single occupied dwelling, although there is a $35 discount for those who already pay a local tax for fire protection.
For more information, visit http://www.firepreventionfee.org/
or use Google to search for “Cal Fire Prevention Fee.“
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
A documentary film about California state parks made by an Arnold couple, will soon air across the nation on prime time television. Calaveras County residents can watch it on KVIE at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, and at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Many Calaveras County residents were first introduced to David Vassar and Sally Kaplan at the premiere of their latest film “California Forever” held at Jack Knight Hall at Calaveras Big Trees State Park last February.
When the 75-minute film concluded, thunderous applause shook the rustic rafters of the hall as the entire audience showed appreciation for the beauty, drama and fascinating history of California’s state parks.
“It’s really nice to have a community this small that is this engaged,” said Vassar, who is an Emmy award-nominated director. “I think it’s a testament to people caring about parks.
“People need to be reminded of the sacrifice people made to create these parks and why they were set aside – to preserve the heritage of our culture and the natural heritage of the generations to come.”
Main sections in the film, which took 61 days to shoot in 47 different parks, focus on Yosemite, coastal parks, deserts and the Sierra Nevada.
While shooting the film, Vassar said he and Kaplan realized they had and abundance of high quality content that couldn’t possibly fit into one film.
“In the scouting and filming, we found that there was an embarrassment of riches,” Kaplan, who produced the film, said with a smile.
After putting their heads together with those funding the project, a decision was made to lengthen the first film and make a second film called “California Forever: Parks for the future.”
It will focus on the idea that California led the nation in the “park idea” and it will also have to lead the nation in facing the challenges that will face parks in the future, Vassar said.
“I think people have forgotten the legacy of California State Parks, and they’ve forgotten the sacrifices people made to set these places aside and they’ve forgotten what an incredible treasure they are, and they need to be reminded.”
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Just a reminder that the Annual Meeting of the Homeowners is this coming Sunday, September 2, 2012.
If your last name begins with
A through M: please bring a side dish. If your last name begins with N through Z: please bring a desert.
Homeowner’s Meeting from 4p to 5p, however all Lilac Park tenants and residents in good standing are welcome to attend the BBQ which begins at 5pm.
If you haven’t seen them already, signs are (or soon will be) posted around Lilac Park, which contain details of the event.
Extended ALPHA Pool Season Trial
The ALPHA Pool will remain open on a weekend-to-weekend basis through the end of September provided we continue to have hot weather and usage remains above 20 visitors per weekend.
Weekend hours will remain 12:00 noon to 6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday. The first extra days are Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Join us for all day long fee live solar powered music event in Hermit Valley which we affectionately refer to as Hermitfest. There will be booths, food, activities for kids and plenty of great music from 11 until 6….stick around a little longer and enjoy the musicians jamming together around the campfire. There will be concurrent celebrations in Markleeville including our popular fish plant at the Carson River Resort. The drawing for our beautiful byway quilt will be held at Hermit Valley. Raffle tickets are available now at select locations and events including the Calaveras Visitors Bureau in Angels Camp.
Vendors and musicians interested in participating in this year’s event should e-mail us at info@scenic4.org. Camping is available in the area but spots go quickly so plan to come up a day early and stay through Sunday to give yourselves a chance to play on the pass or enjoy a drive over the hill. Lodging is available in Murphys, Arnold, Bear Valley and Markleeville for those folks who prefer indoor accommodations.
More details, click the graphic above or click HERE!
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The Arnold Lilac Park Homeowners Association (ALPHA) board of directors believes in shopping local. Therefore, the board unanimously agreed to support the Greater Arnold Business Association by becoming a member.
We recognize that the Arnold community has taken some shots on its economic chin over the last few years and if you’ve been in Arnold within the last 12 months, you’ve undoubtedly been witness to the numerous changes in the local business climate. Many long-time companies have closed their doors and others are working hard to keep theirs open.
The new leadership at GABA has done some great things to invigorate the local economy and generate enthusiasm in helping to keep businesses going in our community.
More than 60% of Lilac Park lot-owners live full time somewhere else. So when you live outside of Arnold full-time, what does “shopping local” mean? Simply put, when you’re planning to come to Arnold, if you can buy it here … do it. Your local patronage will help to keep the local economy growing. After all, if there is no business in Arnold … there really is no Arnold.
The ALPHA board of directors is proud that our homeowners association can be a part of this organization.
Mark Carlson – President
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
WHEN: Sunday, September 2, 2012The Association is providing plenty of Tri-tip but is asking homeowners who are planning to attend to bring a side-dish or desert, as has been done in years past.
If your last name begins with
A through M: please bring a side dish. If your last name begins with N through Z: please bring a desert.
WHAT: This is our annual event where Lilac Park Homeowners get to come and get a feel for what the board has been up to for the last 12 months and find out what’s coming in the next 12. The board has approved the budget for 2013 and it is ready to be distributed to the Association for review.
WHERE: ALPHA Pool
WHO: All ALPHA Homeowners and their guests are invited. The Potluck BBQ is open to ALL Lilac Park residents, not just homeowners.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
08/15/2012 @ 2225
The InciWeb incident information system web site provides up-to-date information regarding all incidents under management by the USFS.
http://www.inciweb.org – Main site. Bookmark this.
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3147/ – Information specifically regarding the Ramsey Fire.
08/15/2012 @ 0900
(ongoing information provided by Lynn Glocker. Thanks Lynn.)
Today fire crews will continue with fire line construction on all parts of the fire perimeter. Firefighters are challenged with steep terrain, limited access with extreme heat and winds. The fire continues to move slowly to the east. 
Helicopters, air tankers, and dozers will continue to support fire crews working on line construction today. The fire has burned along the south side of State Highway 4 and occasionally spotted along the north side of the Highway. Fire crews will continue to monitor and check the north side of the highway and extinguish any spot fires.
The Ramsey Fire started on Saturday August 11, 2012 from an escaped campfire near the North Fork of the Stanislaus River. People traveling on Highway 4 should expect extended delays and partial closures due the fire crews, fire and heavy smoke across the road.
South Central Sierra Inter-agency Incident Management Team is assigned to Ramsey Fire. An Incident Base Camp has been established at the Bear Valley Ski Area.
A temporary fire information line has been established about the Ramsey Fire at 209-988-8311. Please leave a message and a fire information officer will return your call.
08/14/2012 @ 2300
(content provided by Lynn Glocker, click photo for slideshow)
The Ramsey Fire progression was slowed today by morning retardant drops by a DC-10. Heavy-weight helicopters will be operating out of Bear Valley at a portable retardant plant tomorrow.
All spot fires on the north side of Hwy 4 have been contained. Management hopes to construct direct control lines on the east side of the fire in addition to the existing retardant there. The south side by the River and north side by structures remain controlled and holding strong. The southwest side (Division A) has heavy concentrations fuels and potential for rolling debris. Today’s weather calls for thunderstorms and winds that may cause problems. Predicted weather remains dry and hot, but with normal winds. The main concerns are spotting onto very receptive fuels and rolling fuels on steep slopes.
The arriving Type II Interagency Incident Management Team will set up an Incident Command post at Cottage Springs, with some parking challenges. Command will be coordinating with CHP & CalTrans on road closures as needed and appropriate signs. Stanislaus National Forest offices in the fire vicinity may also be used by the Command staff for computer access.
08/14/2012 @ 2100
Local reports state that smoke and ash are not significant problems in Lilac Park / Arnold through the day. However, as winds shift and settle in the late afternoon and evening, smoke and light ash increase considerably thereby decreasing air quality. Still no report of any direct threat to Lilac Park. All cabins in Gann Meadow were saved through firefighter efforts.
If you suffer from any respiratory ailments that are exacerbated by poor air quality, it is suggested that you avoid the mountains until the situation improves.
Please keep the safety and well-being of the fire crews in your thoughts and prayers.
08/14/12 @ 1815
Due to heavy smoke and fire management operations, State Route 4 is closed past Cottage Springs. KCRA is reporting that this fire has burned 800 acres and is only 10% contained.
Thepinetree.net was down earlier at 6:10pm (database error), but they have detailed information. Check back often. Also check KCRA and the USFS web site for more information. Incident command for this fire is by the USFS and not Cal-Fire so there is only limited information on the Cal-Fire web site.
While this fire is NOT an immediate threat to Lilac Park or Arnold, we encourage that you monitor the situation before planning a trip into the mountains. The heavy smoke may cause respiratory issues for those with asthma or other pulmonary conditions.
We will provide you more information as it becomes available.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Because September’s high temperatures often feel like those in August, the board decided to try something a little different. The pool is going to stay open a little later this year.
Because of the increased use of the pool this summer, instead of closing on Labor Day, which is the traditional end of the ALPHA swim season, the board is going to run a trial of keeping the pool open on WEEKENDS-ONLY until the end of September.
There’s a catch however… because the board doesn’t want to waste money in keeping the pool open if no one is using it, the pool will close for the year following any weekend in which the pool doesn’t see at least twenty (20) visitors. Not counting the Independence Day BBQ weekend, the average number of pool users over each weekend this summer was twenty-nine (29), so twenty (20) isn’t a big number comparatively.
At any point, if the weather turns and it cools off, the pool will close until next year. If the 20-visitors-per-weekend goal is not met, the pool will close for the season.
So there’s the potential for 4 extra weekends of swimming: 9/08, 9/15, 9/22, and finally 9/29. The solar system will continue to run, and provided the air temperatures remain as they have, we hope to enjoy the 76 to 80 degree pool water as we have for most of this season. The hours it’s open may be changed slightly to adjust for earlier sunsets, we’re not sure yet.
The pool will definitely close for the year on Sunday, September 30, 2012.
It boils down to you, the Association, whether or not the pool remains open over these additional weekends. If you want to swim on weekends during a potentially warm September, we encourage you to use the pool as often as you can.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
With the dog-days of summer upon us, we couldn’t pass on the opportunity to beat the heat with an Association get-together at the pool. Even though temps hovered in the low 90’s, the turn out for the August Wine Tasting Social / Kid’s Night Swim was spectacular.
With Big Tree Market providing delicious, hand-prepared finger foods and ALPHA residents providing a very eclectic mix of local wines, more than 40 people turned out for an evening of fun and camaraderie under the stars.
New ALPHA homeowners and others who’ve been here for years had a chance to talk, share stories, and get to know one another in the relaxed, informal setting of the ALPHA pool. Kids were able to swim in the 79 degree water and the adults were able to sample various wines from as many as a dozen local vintners. It was a great time had by all.
This is an event we hope to continue next year. The only thing that would have made it better is if you were there!
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Please RSVP by tomorrow night. We need an accurate number for those who plan to attend so we can update the caterer.
Please bring a less-than-$10 to $12 bottle of a local wine. Special deals can be found at the wineries directly, or a large selection of inexpensive wine can also be found at Big Trees Market.
RSVP by 5:00pm tomorrow by clicking **HERE** or call 795.3807 and leave us a message with the number in your family who will be in attendance.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
WHAT : Hot August Nights Social / Kid’s Night SwimWHAT : The ALPHA Board of Directors wanted to have a social event for both adults and kids. While the kids swim under the watchful eye of Meghan Jones, ALPHA’s Pool Attendant, the adults can socialize while sampling selections from local vintners.
Hors D’oeuvres including catered cheese, crackers and other snackable finger-foods will be provided by the association. We ask that attendees being a bottle of a local varietal, costing no more than $10 – $12. Many of the local wineries have “special deals” on their wines if you visit them in person and there are also a number of inexpensive, but very good selections at Big Trees Market.
If you are unable to purchase a bottle or you aren’t a wine drinker, come anyway!! A limited selection of beer and soft-drinks will be available also. The focus of this event is to socialize with and get to know other Lilac Park residents.
Please RSVP HERE or by telephone to 209.795.3807 by Wednesday, August 8 so we can get an accurate head count for food.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
CHANGED!!All ALPHA homeowners are welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Call 209-728-1251 for more information or visit ironstonevineyards.com
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Get outside and enjoy the sounds of symphony, jazz, and other genres at Bear Valley.
July 27 through August 5, 2012
For more information, visit the Bear Valley Music Festival website.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
If a bat, or other wild animal that normally would flee from you, allows you to get close enough to touch it, chances are that it may be sick or injured and care must be taken to avoid injury to you and others.
Handling or touching any wild animal is dangerous, not only because of the potential for a bad bite, but because it may be carrying, or infected with, any number of diseases that could potentially infect you or others who attempt to handle the animal and a sick or injured animal is much more likely to bite than one that’s not.
The purpose of this note is to let you know that several bats have been found in and around our community recently, with a few showing up dead near the Lilac Park pool. Calaveras County Animal Control came out to pick up one of the animals and it was tested for rabies, which it was confirmed to have. While in their natural habitat these bats pose no significant risk to people, care must be taken if you must handle any that may be found dead or dying on your property.
According to the CDC, the overall estimated number of bats infected with a disease like rabies is around 6%, however, you should treat ANY WILD ANIMAL you find as a potential carrier of this disease and avoid contact with it. Use a shovel to move and bury (at least 12″ deep) dead animals and wash your hands well with soap and water after moving one.
People can’t get rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, at camp, or from a distance while it is flying. In addition, people can’t get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur. But because of the risk of a bite, which can spread the disease, teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
If you are bitten by a bat — or if infectious material (such as saliva or brain material if it is killed) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound — wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and get medical advice immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.
Many people have serious misconceptions about bats. Myths that they are vicious and often attack people are abundant. The fact is that bats are actually quite harmless and are important indicators of a healthy environment. Because bats are sensitive to high pollution and pesticide levels, they are useful as a warning sign to potential environmental problems. Bats can also be important weapons in combating insects that are actually dangerous to humans.
With the increased media coverage of deaths caused by the West Nile Virus, many people are looking for effective ways to prevent the spread of the disease. As most of us are aware, the West Nile Virus is primarily spread through mosquitoes. Mosquitoes make up a significant portion of a bat’s diet. A small bat can capture more than 1,200 mosquitoes in a single hour!
Bats cannot contract the West Nile Virus by eating infected mosquitoes. Besides mosquitoes, bats can help control the populations of beetles, moths, and leafhoppers. Many insects can hear bats up to 100 feet away and will avoid those areas occupied by bats. The effectiveness of bats in some areas diminishes the need for pesticides that can harm both the pests and their natural predators.
The point is, use care if you come across ANY sick or injured animal on your property and take appropriate precautions, but if you happen to see a bat hunting bugs as the sun goes down, know that they are helping to rid the area of other pests.
For more information about bats and rabies, click HERE.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Email arnoldfarmersmarket@yahoo.com for more information.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
WINGNUT ADAMS – Blues with a healthy dose of Harmonica at Cedar Center in Arnold. 6:30pm – Pack a picnic, bring your lawn chairs and/or blanket, and enjoy the free Music in the Parks series.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board of Directors will be meeting on Saturday, July 14th, 10:00am, at the ALPHA swimming pool.
This meeting was moved from the normal, “first Saturday of the month” date because of the Arnold Parade and ALPHA BBQ.
All ALPHA homeowners are welcome to attend.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
WHAT: Arnold Independence Day Parade / BBQ at the ALPHA Pool
WHEN: Saturday morning, July 7, 2012. Parade starts at 10:00am, the BBQ starts at 12:00 noon
WHERE: The parade runs right through town on Highway 4.
This annual ALPHA sponsored BBQ at the pool will follow the parade and will include high quality, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs. Bottled water will be provided, if you would like other beverages, sodas and juices will be available at the snack bar, or bring your own.
If you have questions or would like to help at the BBQ, please use the Contact Form to drop us a note.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Come on up and enjoy the pool. Check out our well stocked, reasonably priced snack bar, too! There are sodas, fruit juice, candy bars, chips and a variety of other snacks available.
WiFi Internet service is also available at the pool. Many homeowners have already used it to connect their phones, e-readers, and tablets. Ask the pool attendant for details.
The pool is a great place to spend an afternoon, put your feet up, and relax.
The pool is open from noon to 6pm daily. Private use of the pool available for homeowners in the evenings, check with the pool attendant for available dates.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Amble on the A.R.T.Come and learn about the area’s human and natural history along the paved portion of the Arnold Rim Trail. This relatively easy walk will last about 1.5 hours and travel about 2 miles. Wheelchairs and strollers welcome. Bring layers, sunscreen, hat, snack, and water please. Meet in the parking area of the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum in White Pines.
For exact time and more information on this event and others, please visit http://www.arnoldrimtrail.org/
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
When a burn restriction is in place there is absolutely no debris burning allowed. Calaveras County Burning Restricted June 18, 2012
If you plan to burn debris from lot cleanup, plan on doing so in the next few days.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The panels actually went up last weekend, but plumbing had to wait for a lack of required parts. The panels are now plumbed into the main system and all systems are go save for a few minor leaks, which will be addressed once the system has had water in it a few days.
Our new solar system’s first full day of use is today, June 13. It will run daily until the end of summer or the pool water temp reaches 80 degrees F, whichever comes first.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
It has come to our attention that VIP inspectors have listed the association as the contact number for questions regarding CalFire Inspections. This was done incorrectly.
The association and CalFire are completely independent of one another. The association has no control over these notices, it doesn’t even receive a copy of them. Therefore, we cannot answer any questions about them.
If you received a Cal-Fire Notice that your lot is out of compliance, please contact Nancy Longmore at (209) 754-2744.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The ALPHA Board Meeting will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, June 2, 2012. This will be a short meeting.
LOCATION: ALPHA Swimming Pool
ROOT BEER FLOAT SOCIAL TO FOLLOW!
May’s draft minutes are now available.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Got Facebook?
Check out the ALPHA Facebook page. This is the place where ALPHA homeowners can post comments, concerns, and other information about Lilac Park and Arnold.
This is a closed group, so only ALPHA Homeowners can access it
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
WHAT : Root Beer Float SocialDetails : The ALPHA Social Events Committee is proud to announce the kick-off of the 2012 swimming season and to mark the occasion, they’re hosting a Root Beer Float Social on the first Saturday in June.
The Board of Directors will be personally serving FREE Root Beer Floats to ALPHA Homeowners and their guests from noon to about 2:30pm, so come down to the pool, meet your neighbors, and enjoy a float on us!
Don’t forget to bring your swim suit because the pool will be open and ready for swimming. Your Board of Directors is working hard to get the new solar panels installed in time, and we hope to have them up early enough in the month to help push the water temps up to around 80 degress.
Of course weather and air temperatures are huge factors in how warm the water will actually be, so keep your fingers crossed that we have good weather in May.
Mark your calendar, come on out and join in the fun!
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
For the first time in several years, ALPHA does not have a board member participating in the VIP program therefore we cannot answer any specific questions regarding the upcoming inspections. Please note that ALPHA and the Cal-Fire VIPs are completely independent of each other, though ALPHA supports a fire-safe community and urges homeowners to prepare their property according to Cal-Fire mandates.
Cal Fire VIP first inspections are scheduled from May 29 to May 31 and second inspections are from June 18 to June 22. If you do not have your lot cleared to Cal-Fire standards by May 29, be prepared to receive a notice in the mail, but don’t wait for that notice to get your lot cleaned up appropriately.
If you receive a notice from Cal-Fire, don’t ignore it, act on it. The first notice you receive is a courtesy letter to inform you that your lot isn’t fire-safe. If you receive a second notice, this too, is a courtesy to remind you that your lot doesn’t meet Cal-Fire standards. There are no third notices and more than one homeowner was fined last year. A few homeowners indicated that they never received anything in the mail, so your best bet is to get your lot(s) prepared before 5/29/12. These fines can be stiff, require an appearance in court, and can be time consuming to resolve.
VIP Inspectors are expected to adhere to specific standards. If anything about your property is questionable including property lines, appropriate foliage, or clearances, ALPHA encourages you to contact Cal-Fire directly for more information or clarification of their mandates. The number to dial is 209.428.1131.
For a printable PDF copy of Cal-Fire’s most current lot clearance guidelines, click the link below.
Fire safety is everyone’s business.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Hi ALPHA Homeowners!
The change in weather is upon us. The warmer temps no doubt signals the coming of summer and all of the activity that the season brings.
This is going to be a busy month for emailed information from the Board of Directors as we have been feverishly working on a number of projects and have several important dates to pass on. Watch your email or check back here often to see what’s coming up.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Weather permitting, the ALPHA pool is scheduled to open on Friday, June 1st 2012. We’ll be installing the solar panels this month and hope to have them installed early enough so that the water is warm on opening day.
However, there is still a lot of work to do in order to get the pool ready and we could use your help. The Spring Clean Up Day has yet to be scheduled, but it’s coming very soon. If you can lend a hand in the month of May, even for just an hour or two, drop us a note.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
We apologize for the late notice.
The ALPHA Board Meeting will take place at 3:00pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
LOCATION: ALPHA Swimming Pool
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Breadcrumbs will now be displayed along with a search window at the bottom of each page allowing you to quickly find any other information we’ve previously posted.
We’ve removed many pages that haven’t been viewed much and will be adding other, more relevant content over the next few months, which we’ll update you with via email as changes are made.
There are a number of other enhancements, but we’ll let you find those out on your own.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Tuolumne – Calaveras
CONTACT: Nancy Longmore, Fire Prevention Specialist II, 209/754-3831
RELEASE DATE: April 23, 2012
Burn Permits Required May 1, 2012
San Andreas – Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 8AM, the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will require burning permits within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County.
Until CAL FIRE stations are fully staffed later in the season, permits will be available only during business hours Monday through Friday, at the following locations:
Remember that personnel may be away from the station for extended periods of time when they are responding to emergencies.
Burn permit terms include limiting pile size to a maximum of four feet by four feet (four feet in diameter, and four feet high) and clearing down to bare mineral soil 10 feet from the outer edges of burn piles. Burn hours will remain open until further notice, but outdoor burning may be done ONLY on permissive burn days. Remember that burn day status is determined on the basis of air quality: how quickly smoke will disperse. Therefore, many permissible burn days are very windy. Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Brian Kirk would like everyone to remember that even if it is a permissible burn day, never burn on windy days. Have tools and water close by in order to suppress any escape from your burning operation.
Wildfire is coming. Are you ready? “Getting your property ready for the coming fire season by creating100 feet of defensible space around all structures is an excellent way to protect not only your home, but your neighborhood and community as well,” Chief Kirk says.
It is your responsibility to check burn day status by calling your local Air Pollution Control District with jurisdiction over your area.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
As a way to help us update and manage the information regarding rentals in Lilac Park, the Board of Directors is requesting that all ALPHA Homeowners complete a short form. See link below.
There are several reasons the board wants to have this information, and providing it is required by law. If we receive any complaints or reports of inappropriate activity taking place on the property, the Board must have current information to be able to follow up in a timely fashion.
Additionally, over the last several months a few homeowners have noticed a significant increase in traffic at unusual hours to various homes in Lilac Park. While this traffic may very well be innocent, other concerned homeowners have noted that it may be attributed to illegal activity.
There have also been a number of thefts and other crimes reported recently in Lilac Park, including a case of arson. Having up-to-date information about who is living in our community will allow the board to communicate appropriately with renters, homeowners, and, if necessary, local law enforcement.
If you rent your Lilac Park home, for either short or long-term stays, please take a moment to fill out the Rental Information Form.
Click here to go to the Rental Information Form.
——————————————– Part 2 ———————————————–
If you want your tenants to have access to the pool in 2012, please be sure to complete the “Tenant Authorization Form.” Completing this form will send an authorization to you that you can give to your tenants, which will allow them access to the pool.
With the completion of the new solar panel installation planned for May, we expect to see an increase in pool use this year and it is our aim to avoid any miscommunication about who can and cannot use the pool.
Completion of this form is required for both short term and long term tenants.
Click here to go to the Tenant Authorization Form.
——————————————- Part 3 ————————————————
If you rent your Lilac Park home, this is a just a friendly reminder that SB 183 (carbon monoxide detector), passed by the California Legislature in July, 2011. It is enforceable after January 1, 2013.
If you have any kind of appliance or heater that burns fossil fuels in your Lilac Park home, a carbon monoxide detector is required by law. If you do not install and maintain one and someone is injured due to a carbon monoxide poisoning, you could be liable both civilly and criminally.
The purpose of this note is simply to inform you of the new law. ALPHA is not going to be monitoring or enforcing this requirement and it’s unclear if anyone else is either. However, if you don’t have one installed and something happens in your rental, you could be liable for injuries resulting from a malfunctioning appliance or other problem.
Ace Hardware carries a few different types of CO detectors and cost is between $20 and $60. Many use wall power and do not require batteries.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
We encourage everyone to call the police IMMEDIATELY if they feel a situation or circumstance is suspicious. DO NOT think you are bothering deputies; this is why they are here! DO NOT be embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded.
IF IN DOUBT, CALL! It is better to err on the side of safety. Following is a partial list of incidents that should be reported to the police by dialing 9-1-1. This list is not intended to be complete. Use your own judgment when calling the police.
While some, if not all, of the above situations could have innocent explanations, the police would rather prevent illegal activity than be called to investigate a crime after it is committed.
Please remember, timely reporting is important. Dial 9-1-1 as soon as you witness
suspicious activity and DO NOT take any action on your own!
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
I was asked more than once last summer if the board had considered or was planning to install WiFi Internet Access at the ALPHA pool. The board discussed it at one meeting early last year, but because of the ongoing costs and the yearly contract involved with most hi-speed Internet providers, it was dismissed as too expensive.
Since we’re approaching the 2012 pool season, I thought I would ask you, the association, about whether or not you would use hi-speed Internet access at the pool. If you rent your home, your pool-authorized tenants would have access to the service too.
Authorized pool users could connect to the Internet wirelessly using their laptop, tablet, or other mobile device to check email, surf the web, check the weather, fishing conditions, etc.
The ALPHA Board could use it in a number of ways, too, including: homeowner/renter sign-in when using the pool, automated time card management for the Pool Attendant, snack bar sales tracking, a future web cam, and required pool-data logging, among other things. However, having the Internet just for administrative use doesn’t make much financial sense unless a large number of pool users could benefit from it, too.
When you get a moment, please vote in the pool, er … poll, via the link below. You will need the homeowner password for the ALPHA web site to vote. We protected the page so that only ALPHA Homeowners and other authorized pool users can participate.
Vote Here.
I appreciate your feedback.
~Mark
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
“Classic Car Cruise Nights”, Murphys
Bring your classic car. Free to all.
Meet at Murphys Historic Hotel, 457 Main Street, downtown Murphys, from 6 to 9 pm. Local DJ “Decade Music” will be playing. Food. Raffles.
For more info contact Terri at 209-728-9971.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Air Faire Fly-In & Open House, Calaveras Airport, San Andreas, 209-736-2501
Location: Open House, Calaveras Airport, San Andreas, 209-736-2501
Description: Come early and stay late at the Carol Kennedy Airport. Admission is free. Take a scenic airplane ride for only $5 for kids up to 18, and $10 for adults. Classic aircrafts and cars will be on display, along with live music, breakfast and lunch are available, including Bratwurst and BBQ tri-tip.
For more info call Kathy at 209-736-2501 or kz@mlode.com.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
The Treetop Times is published in Adobe PDF format, which requires the Adobe Reader, found HERE.
Click here to view the Spring 2012 Edition of the Treetop Times.
Printed versions will go out to Homeowners this week.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Arnold Lilac Park Homeowners Association Board Meeting
This is NOT the normal Board Meeting time for ALPHA.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Not including any past balances owed, assessments for 2012 are:
Don’t forget, you can also pay by credit card. Use the “Payments” link on the menu bar above.
Keep in mind that even if you do not receive a bill for your assessment, they are still due by April 30th of each year. As a courtesy, ALPHA will send you an invoice for your annual assessment in late November of each year (the actual date it is sent varies). If you think you owe more than one year’s worth of assessments, please request an invoice by dropping a note to info@arnoldlilacparkhoa.org. You can also request by telephone by calling 209.795.3807.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Some of the minutes had “unusual” formatting when they were created so they may display with some errors or strange symbols when viewed as a web page. The minutes were copied and pasted directly into the database with no changes or edits made.
You will want an up-to-date browser for searching. This has only been tested in Firefox and IE9, so if you use other browsers and experience display problems, please drop us a note.
Take a look.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
To fill the vacancy left by Frank Samuelson’s delayed recovery from a fall last year, the ALPHA Board of Directors has named Mark Carlson as President of the Board.
Well, that’s me. In case you’re wondering who “me” is, I’m the one who writes the posts / articles on the ALPHA web site and sends the email updates.
I accepted Mike Willemsen’s nomination for board president because I saw a need to make a few changes to how the board of directors operates and to bring the ALPHA into compliance with state law.
So what does that mean?
With a background in the technology industry, I saw an opportunity to modernize many of the procedures and workflows that will allow the board to operate more efficiently and hopefully provide you, the homeowner, with the most positive experience possible when you have contact with the board of directors.
Over the last year, the ALPHA web site and email have become key communication tools between the board and you. Since we launched it in January 2011, we’ve received a number of positive comments regarding the site and the automatic updates you receive when a new article is posted to it. We look forward to the continued use of these tools in the future.
The board is currently taking steps to formalize a collection policy and with the number of homes for sale in Lilac Park, an architectural review policy is also coming. The purpose of these polices is simply to provide clarity to those already-existing elements of the CC&Rs/ By-Laws, and many are required by law.
While change is coming to the board, we also look forward to bringing back some traditions that have been forgotten in recent years. Beginning later this spring, ALPHA plans to organize and host a number of social events at the pool.
Sue Lynch has agreed to chair the Social Events Committee and together with Karen Nelson and Ahna Brown, they’ve got some great ideas for events including root a beer float socials, movie night, kids’ swim night, and wine tasting and finger-food-potlucks. Nothing is set in stone yet, so look to the web site and your email for more information as the weather warms up some.
We look forward to a great year in 2012 with a few planned improvements like new solar panels for the pool, some new paint, and a few other updates. Personally, I look forward to swimming in warm water this year.
Anyway, as your board, we’re here to serve you, the homeowner’s association, so if you if you have any questions or comments, please email them to me at info@arnoldlilacparkhoa.org.
Mark
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
If you are headed into the mountains this weekend, please plan for inclement weather and drive carefully.
——————————————————————————————-
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA
341 PM PDT SAT MAR 17 2012
…WINTER STORM WILL BRING SNOW SHOWERS TONIGHT…
.A COLD WINTER STORM WILL LEAD TO SNOW SHOWERS OVER THE WEST SLOPE OF THE NORTHERN SIERRA AND ADJACENT FOOTHILLS TONIGHT. SNOW LEVELS HAVE LOWERED TO NEAR 2500 FEET…AND WILL REMAIN LOW THROUGH THE NIGHT. SNOW LEVELS MAY LOWER FURTHER IN HEAVIER SHOWERS.
CAZ069-181800-
/O.NEW.KSTO.WW.Y.0011.120317T2241Z-120318T1800Z/
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA – INCLUDING THE CITY OF…BLUE CANYON 341 PM PDT SAT MAR 17 2012
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT SUNDAY…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT SUNDAY.
* TIMING: WIDESPREAD SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT.
* MAIN IMPACT: CONTINUED WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 6 INCHES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Times:
6-8 a.m. Course Set-Up
8 a.m. -1 p.m. Racing events
1 pm to 4 pm, Course Cleanup
Course Description:
A 21-mile loop of Calaveras County Roads starting and finishing in Milton, CA
For more information, Contact: Robert Leibold, Director of Operations, Velo Promo, 19780 Soulsbyville Road, Soulsbyville, CA 95372. (209) 533-4996 (FAX same) e-mail: velopro1@sonnet.com
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
See “Conditions / Storm Activity” for weather maps and cam pictures. > > >
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA 305 PM PDT TUE MAR 13 2012 ...MULTIPLE STORM SYSTEMS WILL AFFECT THE AREA THIS WEEK... .A SERIES OF STORMS WILL IMPACT INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INTO THE WEEKEND. THE FIRST IS MOVING THROUGH AT THIS TIME BUT WILL STALL OVER THE AREA THEN WEAKEN WEDNESDAY. ADDITIONAL STORMS MOVE THROUGH THURSDAY INTO THE WEEKEND. SNOW LEVELS WILL RISE TO NEAR PASS LEVELS WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUE HIGH THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY THEN LOWER INTO THE FOOTHILLS FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. SIGNIFICANT SNOW IS EXPECTED IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF WESTERN PLUMAS MOUNTAINS AND SIERRA NEVADA THROUGH SUNDAY. CAZ069-141200- /O.EXT.KSTO.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120314T1800Z/ WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA- INCLUDING THE CITY OF...BLUE CANYON 305 PM PDT TUE MAR 13 2012 ...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY... * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 12 INCHES ABOVE 5000 FEET WITH 1 TO 3 FEET POSSIBLE ABOVE 7000 FEET. * ELEVATIONS: ABOVE 5000 FEET. MOST SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS ABOVE 6500 FEET. * TIMING: SNOW WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY. * WINDS: SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH OR HIGHER OVER EXPOSED HIGHER ELEVATION RIDGES. * IMPACTS: HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLE DUE TO SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW CREATING POOR VISIBILITIES. DIFFICULT BACK COUNTRY TRAVELING CONDITIONS. TRAVEL DELAYS LIKELY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors
Many of you are aware that Frank Samuelson, ALPHA’s President for the last several years, was injured in a fall at his cabin here in Lilac Park last September.
Shortly after his fall, Frank underwent surgery to repair a broken hip and is currently in a rehab facility in Concord. Frank’s recovery has been slow-going over the last seven months, with some improvements and some setbacks.
According to Mike Willemsen, ALPHA’s Vice President, Frank’s slowed recovery will prevent him from fulfilling the duties of the office of President of the Board anytime soon.
As a result, the Board of Directors unanimously moved Frank away from the office of President and has named him ALPHA’s first “Honorary Board Member for Life” in recognition for all that he’s done for Lilac Park over the last 25 + years. While there are certainly other homeowners in Lilac Park also worthy of this recognition, the current Board of Directors wanted to recognize Frank and thank him for his leadership and past contributions to our community.
The board of directors is asking ALPHA homeowners to send Frank a card or note of encouragement to the address you will be receiving via email. For Frank’s overall privacy, we did not want to publish it here.
Thanks for all you’ve done, Frank. We appreciate you.
The ALPHA Board of Directors.
Posted in ALPHA Board of Directors