October 2000

Opportunity

Landscape walks are held by your Board on the Wednesday of the month, beginning at 2pm. September it will be held on the 27th. Everyone is welcome to join the Landscape Committee as it tours the "wild side." Meet at the Rimpark Lane clubhouse.

On Your Calendar: Correction

On Tuesday, October 10th, beginning at 7:30 p.m., The League of Women Voters will host a discussion of upcoming election issues at our clubhouse. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Helpful Internet Site:

Villa Monterey HOA pages give information about our community and HOA, including Newsletters (January 1997 to the present.)
http://www.boomspeed.com/vmhoa/

Scary Stuff

The other day one of our residents found a baby snake in her bathroom. Apparently, they hatch in August, September and October. She suggests that you do not attempt to kill the "critter." Rather: call Reptile Rescue, 619-750-3331. They will respond.

Curtis Management's website
www.curtismanagement.com
E-mail - mleu@adnc.com

Excitement, Plus

On the morning of a October 13th, one of our alert residents caught sight of A person dressed as Superman doing his thing in our canyon and on our walks. She called the police and then there were patrol cars and helicopters even a Channel 8 news crew. Alas, this super creature was gone before they could catch sight of him. Good to know, our folks are alert. Will Batman be next?

Dogs You'll Meet

Brewster, a 10-year-old Cock-a-Poo, has been one of our most engaging residents for the past two years. He lives on Pine Knoll Lane with Kim, who notes he loves to travel - especially to Phoenix, AZ, where grandma and his brother, Tyson, live. A very independent animal, he was kicked out of obedience school. Most days, he can be seen at a window that overlooks the pool greenbelt. He'll respond to your greeting like the gentleman he is. But if you have a dog with you, the language you'll hear! Brewster, where did you-learn-those words?

Memo from: Skip Kruszona
To: Fellow Homeowners
Subject: Subterranean Termites

We have noticed a trend on these pesky critters that you need to know about. We talk to many homeowners who share their information with us and we are passing it along to you.

It is clear that some homeowners are inadvertently helping the subterranean termites have a free lunch.

The subterranean termite needs a path from the ground to the wood in your home. When the builder built the homes, the builder purposely created an air gap between the ground and the T-111 (the wood siding) or the stucco.

The original patios slabs leave this gap in place to preclude the critter from getting to the wood of your home. Many homeowners are putting tile or a wood floor on their cement slab in their patio. In so doing, they eliminated the air gap between the ground and the wood in their home. This provides a direct path for the termites to get to the wood.

While the termite can build a tunnel of mud to the wood, he has to do this where it is dark and where there is moisture. This limits his options and makes it harder for him to do. Removing the air gap does his work for him (Call Mr. John Marsh if you are concerned and he can look at your patio to see if your air gap is in place.)

The Association does not cover the cost of damage caused by changes to the original exterior structure. In one case the termites actually went up 8 feet and ate the patio cover as they went. This was a very expensive repair. Two termite companies have written to us with their understanding of the issue and we are passing this along to you.

VMHOA Landscape
Common Area Plantings

During the past few years, our landscape maintenance costs have steadily increased every year until the costs have consumed almost all of the association's budget. Labor, water, supplies, and other materials are all a part of the total expenses for landscaping.

Your Board has been working to solve these problems in a number of ways. Considerable research was done to identify plants and trees that require less water and grooming, have minimum roof problems, are pest and drought resistant, and yet provide the look and beauty of Villa Monterey.

Trees and plants requiring intensive labor were identified and placed on a schedule for removal. Trees throughout the complex causing concrete damage were identified and scheduled for removal. Watering schedules were severely reduced to essential levels and placed on automatic timers with more flexible programming capacity.

Tree Survey
August 2000
Villa Monterey Homeowners Association

In 1995, the first year I did a tree survey of Villa Monterey, there were 430 trees on site. This count did not include any trees on the canyon side of the swale.

In 1998, the tree count was down to 347 In August 2000 the total count was 275.

Landscape Committee: A.L.

Looking Ahead

Your clubhouse chairpersons are looking forward to decorating the clubhouse at Christmas. If you are moving and have decorations that you're willing to part with, we'd welcome the chance to have them. Call John Marsh.