VILLAGE PALOS VERDES HOA
June, 2008
This is the first VPV newsletter issued in some time. For those of you who have missed it and have been requesting it, we apologize for the inability to regularly produce this type of communication. The VPV Board of Directors had originally intended to halt issuing this type of general newsletter, hoping to eliminate the expense from the HOA budget. The Board is required to mail documents regarding HOA business to every homeowner and we ensure that information is received. However, general news and community interest items are a luxury, and some feedback from the HOA indicated it was missed. In response to the request of many Homeowners, the VPV Website was initiated and continues to improve, offering a more comprehensive and cost effective communication vehicle. But, there has been a gap in our general news communication caused by the loss of the dedicated TV message channel and some homeowners not being regular internet users. Due to the Board’s full dedication to pressing business issues, the generation of the newsletter has fallen behind. With that understanding, and yet continuing to strive to meet the requests of the Community, we offer this update on general community information. Please let us know if you want to continue to receive such documents.
If this type of information is important to you, why not volunteer to write it? We need a homeowner to volunteer to create a bi-monthly newsletter containing general VPV information and community updates. A Board member will be assigned to work with the volunteer to assure that news is correct and timely. Maybe two people would like to share the responsibility and contribute either as a team or take turns generating the information. If you would be interested in such a role, please contact Joanne Pena at Horizon Management via e-mail – HYPERLINK "mailto:joanne@horizonmgmt.com" joanne@horizonmgmt.com or by telephone at 310-543-1995.
Website: Have you checked out the updated VPV website recently? HYPERLINK "http://www.villagepalosverdes.org" www.villagepalosverdes.org offers thorough access to Association documents, updated news, copies of meeting minutes, dates and times of meetings, and other items of interest.
For those of you without home internet access, you can easily join one of our local libraries and get on line for free through that resource. Residents will have to apply for a library card to access the services.
El Retiro Branch Library in the Hollywood Riviera
126 Vista Del Parque, Redondo Beach, Phone (310) 375-0922
Mon – Thurs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Closed Friday
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
The Main Library
303 North Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, Phone (310) 318-0675
Mon – Thurs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Want to volunteer to organize community event announcements to be posted regularly on the website? Contact Joanne Pena, via the above listings, and help us all to have more timely information about local activities of common interest.
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Summer Solstice Social: Mark your calendars for the second annual Summer Solstice Social scheduled for Friday, June 20th from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the North Pool. Bring your favorite beverage (in a non-glass container), a snack to share and your best “meet and greet” attitude! How about volunteering to organize another social this summer? The more we socialize, the stronger sense of community will be generated. Let’s get together and enjoy this beautiful location we call home.
Slip and Fall Lawsuit: The slip and fall lawsuit against the VPV HOA, reported last year, has been settled out of court by our Insurance carrier. The Claimant was visiting one of our residents, used the pool, and slipped on the entry way tile to the resident’s home. The Board, with Phil’s help, provided thorough documentation that there were no maintenance concerns at the location of the incident. To avoid injuries for your own household members, as well as visitors or service providers, please help to keep walkways, stairways, entrances and railings clear of potted plants and other items which can impede the required 3 ft. clearance. We need to continue to take every precaution to prevent anyone from being injured and to also keep our insurance rates manageable by mitigating such claims, which in turn, helps to keep this portion of our HOA fees to a manageable level.
Water Conservation: Water is VPV’s highest utility expense. The need to maintain this portion of our budget is compounded by the general need to conserve the vital resource. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is reviewing guidelines for implementing mandated water usage quotas and associated penalties for abusers. Please dedicate increased attention to those precious lost drops and drips and contact HYPERLINK "http://www.bewaterwise.com" www.bewaterwise.com for ideas on how you can reduce your own personal household usage. Let’s all do our part to cut back where possible, to maintain the VPV budget and to support this environmental requirement.
Can you park in your garage? If your garage is currently too full to allow adequate parking of your personal vehicles, now is the perfect time to start cleaning it out and making room. The upcoming Exterior Renovation Project will consume our guest parking and likely a lot of the street parking near by. If your garage space is limited, we encourage you to prepare to hike or start clearing that valuable space. (Please be reminded that large/oversize household items are not allowed in our dumpsters for waste removal.)
Coupled with cleaning out your garage you might want to think about “large item pick ups” – items that might be suitable for donation, or items that just need to be hauled to the land-fill. There are several charitable organizations that pick up re-usable items such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries. Also, there are companies, who for a fee, will pack up and haul away junk – such as 1-800-JUNK. You might even want to organize a group community pick up with your neighbors for a same day pick up.
Recycling: We know this has been a concern of many residents of VPV over the years and we are happy to inform you that our current waste disposal service does support recycling. They empty truck loads of refuse onto conveyor belts and sort household trash from loose recycling items. They will not open bags of garbage, but will pull loose items for recycling. Please put your clean recyclable material loose into the dumpster so that it can be environmentally disposed of.
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Maintenance Reminders: This is a good time of the year to change your batteries in smoke detectors or even replace detectors with newer models. Please be extremely cautious when using barbeques and candles which are extremely hazardous to our flammable exterior, especially with the assistance of our nice ocean breeze.
VPV recently experienced a fire caused by a build-up of lint in a household clothes dryer duct system. Have you ever had your ducts cleaned? Maybe this is a good time to schedule a visit from one of the local vendors specializing in such a service and prevent a similar fire. It might be worth checking with your neighbors to arrange for a group service and potentially receive the benefit of a group discount rate. Following are a few such service providers:
American Air Care - 1-800-709-8858
Dusty Ducts – 1-800-966-3878
Five Star Air Care – 1-800-373-0376
Ocean Air Solar Wise – 1-877-505-5757
United Air Care – 1-866-914-3828
With our piping now being 30+ years old, it is good to regularly check for leaks (faulty faucets, toilets, gaskets, hose bibs, etc.). Even the smallest drip can create a major disaster if left for a period of time. It is additionally beneficial to get in the habit of turning your water off when leaving your home for extended periods of time. Be sure to report all leaks immediate, to Horizon Management.
Have you flushed your water heater? Annual flushing will remove sediment and not only improve the efficiency and save money but will also extend its use.
Are you feeling at risk leaving the VPV driveways? Some time ago, we contacted the City of Torrance regarding concerns for safety entering and exiting the VPV driveways. In response, we were informed that since accidents had not been reported and no formal reports had been received regarding the troublesome areas, they could not offer relief. It was suggested that a formal petition be compiled and filed at a City Council Meeting, with several homeowners in attendance, so the City could assess the current risks and potentially implement improvements, such as red no parking zones at curbs near the entrances, allowing for improved visibility. If you would like to volunteer to spearhead this effort, please contact Joanne Pena to offer your services.
Automatic Dues Payments: Save time and money by signing up to have your VPV HOA dues automatically deducted from your checking account each month. Sign up forms are available via the VPV website. Print one off, fill it out and send it in to Horizon Management Services. If you are a homeowner who does not have the website access, contact Joanne at Horizon Management for a form.
July 4th: Remember, no fireworks are allowed in the City of Torrance. Fortunately, you have a prime view to enjoy the usual wonderful display on the water, off of Torrance Beach, right from your own balconies. There is also a fireworks show in Wilson Park. Please enjoy these displays safely.
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Classes of VPV Interest: The South Bay Adult School is currently offering two classes that may be of specific interest to VPV homeowners. Contact the school at: HYPERLINK "http://www.southbayadult.org" \t "_blank" www.southbayadult.org
Save Money! Energy 101 for Remodeling - July 17th, 7-9 p.m., Mira Costa School, Room 41 - Cost: Free Are you planning to remodel your home? Now is the perfect time to think about becoming energy efficient and reducing your ongoing utility costs. Join us to find out about the latest building energy conservation methods including financial rebates and incentives used in today's home construction. Tips on building green.
The New Reverse Mortgages - June 25th, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Mira Costa Room 38, Cost: $29.00
Reverse mortgages are revolutionizing the way 62+ homeowners tap into home equity and enhance their "golden" years. Learn how to wisely access retirement income from your home. This overview will inform you about loan types, qualifications, interest rates and restrictions. Carl Arakawa has been a real estate loan officer since 1992.
Do you want to organize a community event or activity? If so, here are just a few ideas you might want to consider:
A play day for the VPV kids at Torrance Beach so they, and their parents, can get better acquainted.
A community food drive for a non-denominational charity.
A beach clean-up day: maybe a 2-hour event on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
How about a light picnic breakfast after the above clean-up?
A community blood drive.
(Please be aware that the VPV Board reserves the right to not provide VPV HOA sponsorship for events that are not oriented for the general community.)
Disclaimer: All vendors, service providers and organizations listed within this document are provided simply as examples of regularly advertised services. These businesses are in no way affiliated with the VPV HOA and are not sponsored or specifically recommended by the VPV HOA Board of Directors. Please contact a reputable business of your own selection.
Summer Social: We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Second Annual Solstice Social, on the evening of June 20th.
Please let us know if you feel this newsletter, mailed to each homeowner is an essential communication for the VPV HOA to continue. Thank you.
Provided by the VPV HOA Board of Directors