Montereyvillas.org - Getting Off to A Slow Start

*THE MONTEREYVILLAS.ORG SITE IS TEMPORARILY DOWN DUE TO SOME SERVER UPGRADES, PLEASE BE PATIENT, THE SITE SHOULD BE BACK ONLINE LATER TONIGHT*
07-08-08 3:30PM

Its been a couple weeks now since we launched the Monterey Villas HOA site, and it seems to be getting off to a slow start. Oh course we didn't expect 300 people to sign up for the site right away but we already have 20 residents registered. Montereyvillas.org goes far beyond what we could ever do here on the blog. I highly encourage everyone to check it out and sign up.

I'm happy to announce that our first classified ad has been posted, and it is for a 5 piece Dining Room Set. Click here to view the ad.

There is also a section on MontereyVillas.org which allows members to submit a service request straight to Beacon Property Management by simply filling out a form on the site. Here is the most recent submission:

Location:Between E and F, G Request:Each sprinkler head need to be checked so that new plants and grass are getting enough water. Some areas are so dry and plants and grass are dying. I'm currently using my own hose to water to keep the dry wilted plants from dying.

Here is a conversation from on of the topics in the discussion forum:

Creating more parking spots
As I as walking back to my condo the other day I noticed we have an opportunity to create a few more parking spots in our complex. I am referring to the area that is in front of the mysterious developer storage/golf cart location/few handicapped spots. There is a dumpster there which I believe hardly gets used (removing it would save our community fees), removing the little area which to me, is a waste of space, could add four of five more parking spots. Does anyone have any thought about this?

Cheers

It would be a quick fix I'm in...damn bro your ideas just keep coming. We could also get 1 more spot if we take out the wooden fence area where the big dumpster used to be on the long driveway near Albersons

I noticed that area too. Funny how it has a lock on it but the electrical junction boxes, phone junction boxes, sprinkler timer junction box, and cable junction box... nope, they don't need one! I would like to know what is in the storage area and who has access to it right now.

Cheers

Like everything else only the converters hold the key, I saw it open one day...looked like nothing but junk.

Also, there is space next to the dumpster across from the E Building facing Wellington that could be made into a compact space. There used to be a tree there, but it was cut down leaving a 2 inch stump. It's just dirt and flat dry grass/ivy now.

*Some features of the site are only visible to members so please sign up.*

Important Upcoming Dates

Attention Monterey Villas residents, please make a note of these important upcoming dates:

Tonight, Wednesday, June 11 - Representatives from the Enforcement committee will be near the pool to distribute parking permits from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please bring your completed application, a form of ID and registrations for your vehicle(s).

Friday, June 13 - Water will be turned off for the entire community from 9:00 a.m. to Noon due to a plumbing repair required in F-9.

Saturday, June 14 - Parking permit distribution is scheduled for the pool area again from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18 - Enforcement of the new parking regulations will begin. Vehicles parked in open spots without displaying the proper permit will be subject to towing.

MONTHLY MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT!

Our monthly HOA meeting will be held tomorrow night @7pm in the clubhouse. Not sure if I'm going to be able to make it due to my new work schedule but I highly encourage everyone to voice their opinions at the meeting.

May Art Walk

Tomorrow night marks the third Saturday of the month and you know what that means–The Santiago Art District Art Walk!

Visit the Santiago Art District website for more information and links to the gallery websites.

Photo of Studio 904 courtesy of Costea Photography.

BATTER UP!

This one comes courtesy of Miss Behaven:

What is wrong with people in the world!! On Sunday night a car near the M building on the Williams side was being attempted to have their catilatic converter stolen. If not for the great watch of a resident in building L, who came out with a bat and confronted the guys trying to steal. And this was at around midnight! Our neighbor was unable to get any more info other than a silver older model Hyundai with no license plate, which now has a broken glass(our resident hit them as they were driving away!)Please be on the lookout and thank you to our great neighbor for stopping these scums of the earth from vandalizing our hard earned personal property!

Finally some vengeance, I'm trying to get a better description of the vehicle so that we can post up a similar picture here so that residents will know what to look out for.

Joe, not to bug but any news on the cameras? In the meantime can you relay any of this information to our security guard?

ROCKY, ROCKY, ROCKY...

In case you haven't noticed yet the rocks under the stairwells are currently being installed. I must say it was a very noisy install but what do you expect, they're ROCKS!!! They look good. Hopefully they finish up soon because those parking spots would really come in handy this weekend. I know I haven't been posting much lately but I've been a little busy at work. Look for things to pick up in the next couple weeks. I just got an update from the Landscape, Safety, and Social Committee's so I'll have something up later today or early tomorrow.

Here is a summary of what's ahead:

1. More Lighting
   
2. Clubhouse possible open to watch sporting events
   
3. Cinco de Mayo Party  

THE 2008 DOWNTOWN MIXER! (04/03)

Passing It Along!

Delilah Snell, owner of the eco-friendly Road Less Traveled Store, and Board Chair of the the Downtown Santa Ana Business Council asked me to pass along this invite to residents and friends of the Santiago Street Lofts.

This is an invitation to the Downtown Santa Ana Business and Neighborhood Mixer. Come and meet the many people who make Santa Ana a great place to live and work. Bring information about your business to share and sample delectable appetizers from Jason's Downtown Restaurant and Wine Cellar complimentary of the Downtown Santa Ana Business Council.

• see upcoming branding and marketing images for the area


• interactive website launching


• receive a copy of the area's new map for visitors


• view a list of 2008/09 events


• share your thoughts with business owners, community leaders and residents
  

When: April 3rd from 5-8pm

Where: Jason's Downtown, 416 West 4th Street (across from the Ronald Regan Courthouse)

Who: you and others that you know, please pass this along!

Contact: Delilah Snell, 714.836.8727 for more information.

URGENT!!! THIS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY!

ATTENTION, DON'T PAY MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO, FILLING OUT THIS FORM WILL SAVE YOU A BUNCH OF MONEY. ITS SAD TO SAY BUT OUR PROPERTY VALUE HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, HAVE YOUR PROPERTY REASSESSED SO THAT YOU PAY TAXES ON THE CURRENT VALUE.

Click here to view and print the Informal Property Tax Review Form, fill it out and postmark it by April 30th.

The form is a request for a reassessment of your property value. When you purchased your condo, the county reassessed your home at the purchase price. Your property taxes are a percentage of that assessed value. Now that values have dropped so dramatically, a reassessment would benefit you by resetting the value of your home to better match market conditions. The county tax rate will remain the same, so the same percentage of a lower assessed value means a smaller total tax burden for you.
-Pumkin828

As an FYI, the form asks for comp sales in the area, but you do not need to fill that out since the information is not readily available. I was told by the Assessors Office to put "Not Available" and that they would pull it up on their own. They have the information, but we do not since the auction prices were not identified by the converter in the grant deeds.

-Sarah

Kudos to Sarah for presenting this information at our March meeting. Tell your fellow neighbors about this ASAP. Also don't forget to spread the news about the BLOG. It is the best form of communication we have.

More Committee updates!

Yesterday the Safety and Landscape Committee's did a walk through to pin-point certain light poles that need replacement or repair, the contractor checked and found different light sources (yellow or white) and wattage. He recommended that we standardize the wattage and select a white light which will illuminate more surface area. Once these repairs and changes are made, another walk through will take place in the evening to better survey the lighting situation. I will inform you of such date.

They also met the with the converter; below is a list a suggestions that were discussed, Charity will be here Friday the 14Th, to post the agenda for the next HOA meeting.

• The converter suggested and will supply the HOA I.D. cards, the HOA will issue (2) I.D. cards to each homeowner/tenant currently living here. The proposed I.D. is to question and provide proof when asked if individual resides here at M.V. during use of the pool/jacuzzi, fitness room, and facilities. They believe this should reduce non-resident use of our facilities.
• Lighting contractor given O.K. by Charity to install timer on the T.V. and lights in the fitness room
• Lighting contractor given O.K. by Charity to install light sensor in the both laundry rooms
• To investigate installation of a flood light illuminating the tennis courts (when not in use) by lighting contractor, end corner by laundry room
• Painting to be done by the converter soon (no specific date given)
• Contractor hired to replace mulch with river rock, unable to deliver rock selection, increased cost by 12k to complete job per rock selection (NOT ACCEPTABLE). Alternate solution to select another type of rock to without increase to original quote/price submitted. Get completion date once selection is finalized
• Parking tags are ready, Charity indicated that Adam recommended that all homeowners be present to complete agreement form stating the rules and conditions along with the year, make, model, and type of vehicle, etc.

Valentine's Day, Don't Worry It's Not Too Late!

In case you forgot, its tomorrow! Don't worry this should cover everything!

Your guide to Cupid's favorite holiday, complete with a barbershop quartet.

WINE AND DINE YOUR SWEETHEART
Where to eat: A sampling of Orange County restaurants planning special Valentine's Day menus.

• View the complete Valentine's Day dining guide
  

FUN STUFF FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

"My Funny Valentine" contest: Voting for the contest has concluded. Check back here tomorrow to see the top five Valentine submissions. » You can still share a photo and some loving words

• Valentine's quiz, dining and shopping edition: Do you know which O.C. restaurant is offering free tequilas for the holiday?
• Valentine's Day interactive graphic:  What do a pagan fertility festival, mating birds, martyred saints, candy hearts and brain chemistry have in common? Feb. 14. » View the graphic

FOOD TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD

It's all about chocolate: Local pastry chefs and confection fans select their favorites from 17 chocolates. Also get tips on buying chocolate. » Read the story and get recipes

• Suicide by chocolate: Chocoholic Ellen Crawford hosts an annual Valentine's party showcasing homemade chocolate desserts.  » Read the story and get the recipe for Suicide Chocolate Cake
  
• Food aphrodisiacs:  Fact, fiction, or just plain fun? » Find out
• Last-minute chocolates easy to make:  A homemade gift is still possible at the last minute. » Read the story and get the recipes

VALENTINE STORIES

Do you remember your second  first kiss? A high school flame gets rekindled after four decades. » Read the story

• 50 years of marriage? These couples must be experts of love: Three couples with more than 50 years of marriage share their secrets for a successful relationship.  » Read the story
• Cheating hearts keep Laguna Beach private investigators busy: For private investigators, the week of Feb. 14 is big business for catching potential cheaters. » Read the story
• First kiss? Readers tell stories of their magic moment. » Read the story
  

PLAN YOUR ROMANTIC EVENING

Romance:  Plan a romantic evening that's the right 'match' for you and your loved one.

• Get tips on picking the right getaway spot for you and your Valentine
  

GIFTS FOR YOUR VALENTINE

Barbershop Quartet for Valentine's Day?: Nothing says "I love you, baby" like four men singing inappropriately in public places. » Get info

• Valentine flowers: Red roses are the usual flower, but there are many more colorful buds to choose from. » Get more flowery ideas
  
• A gift of lingerie:  Here are a few tips to help increase the chances that a Valentine's Day gift will be on target. » Read the story
• How much money  are you willing to shell out for Valentine's Day this year?  » Take our poll
• What people really want for Valentine's Day:  Here's a look at the odd, the unexpected and the potentially funky. » Read the story
• The gift of massage. » Read the story and watch a video on massage techniques.
  
  Adopted From The OCRegister