News on the Email NewsWALDEN WOODS OF GRANITE BAY
August 2001 Email News Update
News on the Email News
Walden Woods is certainly in the 21st century. Approximately 80% of the home in Walden Woods are online receiving these newsletters / notices or checking the web. After a couple months we've already seen some innovation here. We're getting the "Would anyone like..." and "Does anyone know..." requests among our neighbors. See the neighbor to neighbor section below.
What about the homeowners that don't have email? Well, first of all, any legally required communication will still go out via US mail. Second, the Walden Woods Board decided recently that this unofficial newsletter is so valuable it should be made available to all homeowners. For the next few months we will print up a limited number of paper copies and put them by each entrance. Unfortunately it will lag a few days for printing etc (and it will be in black and white.) If you get the email news update, please don't take a paper one as well.
Neighbor to Neighbor
This section is for broadcasts by homeowners offering something to their neighbors or asking a question. This is not a debate or discussion forum (which we actually have on our Walden Woods Web site - click here.) All items submitted for this newsletter are subject to my arbitrary discretion for inclusion and editing.
Tim Hinchey asks: Do you know of a good gardener/landscape guy/team who could do a little maintenance work and fix a couple of sprinklers?
Mary & Lowry Blanton with a wonderful offer: Anyone passing their place on the way to the common area can visit their garden and grab anything they desire. And since this is their first ever garden - they will welcome and any successful gardening tips. Stop by and share your thoughts. Their house is the first house on the left as you enter the front Walden Woods entrance.
Nicole Pedrami asks: We want to do some remodeling on the house but we're really struggling to find someone to do it. I'm wondering if there's anyone in the neighborhood who might be able to recommend a contractor or handyman?
Bill and Carol Furnas are offering plums: The plum tree on his property boarding the common area is over loaded with plums and their free for the picking. There's a trail from the Common Area footbridge that goes to Bill's House (lot 52).
Annual Meeting:
Before you forget, mark down the Annual Homeowners Meeting for Sunday, Sept 23rd at 1PM (this is earlier than usual) We meet at the end of Mimus Lane. Preliminary plans for the agenda are:
- Gail Sellers' committee on the house footprint and related CC&R topics has submitted a proposed changes for a legal review and plans to provide and update to the association
- An Arborist will talk about the care and feeding of oak trees
- Presentation on Common area improvements (Bridge, Fire Protection, Picnic Bench on Sunset Hill, and more.)
- Maps, maps and more that will answer:. Where is Sunset Hill? Where are the best trail routes? How long are the trails? Where can I get a copy of the maps with lot lines and easements? Where are the nice viewing spots in the common area? Where can I pick blackberries in the summer?
Bring your own chair. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Block Party - Saturday,
September 8th:
Calling all barbeques! Cindy Fuzie is doing it again! The next Walden Woods Block party is Saturday, September 8th at 5:00. You will find it at the end of Calypte Lane. We'll have the basics - hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and sodas. Bring your utensils and anything you'd like to share, barbeque or drink.
Party on Cindy!!
F.A.C.E. was a joint association between Walden Woods, Lakeview Hills and Hidden Valley representing community interests in the acquisition of the Los Logos 3 property on Boulder Road by the California State Parks System. Through their work and initiative all 80 acres were added to the Folsom Lake Recreation Area, instead of become another housing project near our back entrance. Thanks to all those who helped and contributed to the cause. For those who contributed funds to F.A.C.E. for legal representation and making this happen, FACE is now able to refund much of the donations. If you don't see a check soon, contact a F.A.C.E. representative.
Architectural
Board Report
A lot of homeowners have been busy this year, so it means it's also a busy year for Architectural Committee has approved 3 new roofs, 1 new deck, 2 house painting, 2 new fences, a new yard landscaping plan, a house addition, and plans for oak tree removal from two lots.
Please submit your plans to the Architectural Committee 30 days in advance. This includes re-roofing, skylights, painting, major landscaping, pools, house additions, etc. The Architectural Committee operates under a Charter and Policies, which are set out on the web. Also on the Walden Woods Web site are Property Improvement Applications and Variance request forms.
Message
from the Water Board
- The Water Board is planning an annual meeting for the water district members (lots 1 to 102) in November. Exact date, time, place and agenda will appear in the next newsletter.
- Each day there are two low water pressure periods: in the morning between 5AM and 10AM; and in the evening between 6PM - 10PM. The highest pressure is late night between 11PM and 5 AM. Help out your neighbors and benefit from higher water pressure by planning according.
Common Area Work:
Mapping: Bill Furnas and I have been walking the Common Area trails measuring and mapping and measuring and mapping some more. Our goal is have maps for all at the Home Owners meeting in September.
Improvements: Improving and opening up of the Common Area Access easement to Walden Woods Way is a long term project. They are hoping to complete it late summer next year, but it all depends on how many volunteers show up to help out. The Common Area funding is primarily directed towards fire prevention, so come on out and lend a hand with the improvements.
Come pitch in a hand - the next Common Area Improvement Volunteer day is August 25th. Show up at Bill Furnas' house (8345 Walden Woods Way) at 9AM.
Poison oak: Our abatement continues. Victoria and I are out there every weekend. I hope you can see the difference.
Star Thistle: Yellow Star Thistle (YST) is showing up in the Common Area. YST is a non-native, aggressive weed that often takes over fields and grasslands. The fierce weed quickly dominates any area it invades. Like some alien from "The X-Files" it kills off its floral competitors in part by sending a tap root as deep as eight feet into the ground and sucking the available moisture out of the soil. Some scientists believe that the plant also may emit a substance, called an allelochemical, that stunts the growth of nearby plants.
It is a prodigious seed producer, pumping out as many as 29,000 seeds per square meter. Moreover, an astonishingly high 95 percent of its seed germinates, and can do so in just a few days.
It is classified as one of California's most obnoxious weeds. Its presence in our common area is still limited, but the Common Area Committee is acting to control it before it locks us out with a spiny barrier. However, if you're out on a walk and see some, pull it up and throw it away when you get home.
Local Events (Music and
otherwise) :
Directory Updates :
Everyone should already have a new Walden Woods Directory delivered to your home. If one doesn't appear within a few days, contact Denese Holden at 652-0856.
As a reminder, in the directory on page 18 is a list of kids who will baby sit, house sit, home site or provide yard work. Names and contacts for the new WWHOA Board and Water Board are provided in the front section.
Corrections can be sent in via email for the next printing (probably annual.) A reminder will be sent to this distribution list before the next printing.
Do you know ...
Q: What is the total length of trails in the Walden Woods Common Area?
A: Read backwards selimowttoubatsuj
This distribution is going out to people on the Walden Woods email information update list. If you would like to be dropped from this list, reply back indicating so and Guy Hall will personally remove your name from this list. If you know someone who would like to add their name to this distribution list, forward this message to them and have send their information to directory@waldenwoods.org.