June - CAI-CV

June 2014
Coachella Valley Community Associations Institute Magazine
Inside
Bruges to Berlin, and All
the Beer in Between
Board Members: Why Serve?
Short Term Rental Restrictions – Tips
on Gathering the Evidence
New State Rule Will Be Costly
for Coachella Valley
Four of the Best Trails Around
Our Valley…For Your Body and Mind
So, Your Diet Isn’t Working?
DEsErT rEsOrT MAnAGEMEnT
Providing quality professional management services throughout the Coachella Valley
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Serving community associations since 1987, Desert Resort Management (DRM)
provides services that enrich communities and enhance the associations we serve.
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SM
2
Quorum June, 2014
42-635 Melanie Place, Suite 103 | Palm Desert, CA 92211 | Tel: (760) 346-1161 | Fax: (760) 346-9918
www.drminternet.com | [email protected]
Contents
Board of Directors
Coachella Valley Chapter 2014
Christina Baine DeJardin, Esq., President
Peters & Freedman, LLP
Nena T. Rutherford-Milward,CMCA, AMS, PCAM, CCAM,
Past President
Desert Resort Management
10
Tad Black, President Elect
Gothic Grounds Management, Inc.
Paula Tapia, Treasurer
Pacific Western Bank
Your Ad
here
Rob Winkle, Secretary
Western Pacific Roofing
Art Coulter, Director
Palm Valley Homeowners Association, Inc.
Mike Mastropietro, Director
Orange Coast Building Services
[email protected] | (760) 341-0559
June 201
4
Coachella
Va
lley Comm
unity Assoc
iations Ins
titu
te Magazin
e
10
Grace Paluck, Director
The Management Trust, Monarch Group Division
Phyllis Harkins, Director
Palm Desert Country Club Association
Your HOA can be
our next Cover
Features
Gerard Gonzales, Director
Albert Management
By Phyllis Harkins
13
16
23
No Cost
27
to you
Must be CAI-CV member
in good standing
Contact
the CAI-CV Office
4
Quorum June, 2014
Every cover
has a story.
Tell us yours!
(760) 341-0559
[email protected]
Attendance at CAI-Coachella Valley Chapter programs and
events constitutes consent to be photographed for use in print
and/or electronic publicity for the Chapter. If you do not want the
Chapter to use a photo or video of you, please notify Chapter
staff in writing prior to the program or event beginning.
New State Rule Will Be
Costly for Coachella Valley
27
Four of the Best Trails
Around Our Valley…
For Your Body and Mind
By Charles Walters-Clark
32
The materials contained in this publication are designed to provide
our members with accurate, timely and authoritative information with
regard to the subject covered. However, the CAI Coachella Valley
Chapter is not engaging in the rendering of legal, accounting or other
professional types of services. The CV Chapter has not verified and/or
endorsed the contents of these articles or advertising, nor do we have
the facilities or the personnel to do so. Readers should not act on the
information contained herein without seeking more specific professional advice from legal, accounting or other experts as required.
Short Term Rental
Restrictions – Tips on
Gathering the Evidence
By Jim Barrett
[email protected]
Ins Ide
23
Board Members: Why Serve?
By Margaret “Gen” Wangler, Esq. CCAL
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS OR
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Bruges to
Berlin, and
All
the Beer
in Bet wee
n
Board Mem
bers Why
Short Term
Ser ve
Rental Res
tric tions
– Tips
on Gather
ing the Evid
ence
New Stat
e Rule Wil
l Be Costly
for Coache
lla Valley
Four of
Our Valley… the Best Trails Aro
und
For Your
Body and
Mind
So, Your
Diet Isn’t
Working?
16
By Stephen Grane
Leslee Williams, Director
Desert Resort Management, an Associa Company
CAI Coachella Valley Office
41-905 Boardwalk Suite A-2
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Tel: (760) 341-0559
Fax: (760) 341-8443
Website: www.cai-cv.org
Bruges to Berlin, and All the
Beer in Between
Why be a Board
13 Member?
So, Your Diet Isn’t Working?
By Nicole Ortiz, ND
Chapter News
9
CAI-CV Chapter
New & Renewing Members
37
Advertisers Index
32
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
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5
Contents
Chapter Events
19
19
CAI-CV Golf Turnament
Americana
Quorum
Committee Members
19
Fran Mullahy
Vintage Associates, Inc.
MARGARET “GEN” WANGLER, ESQ. CCAL
Fiore Racobs & Powers
Gary Kessler, Esq.
Adams Kessler PLC
Contractors Lic. # 235717
WESTERN PACIFIC
JAY POWELL
Conserve LandCare
Roofing Corporation
Since 1949
“Complete Roofing Services”
Repairs • Re-roofing
Roof Inspection • Maintenance Programs
Polyurethane Foam • Built-up • Tile • Patios
3462 La Campana Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone (760) 416-5877 Fax (760) 320-8912
FIND US ONLINE AT www.westpacroof.com
John Walters – Clark
NPG/Nelson Paving & Sealing
LAURIE S. POOLE, ESQ. CCAL
Peters & Freedman, LLP
PAULA TAPIA
Pacific Western Bank
PHYLLIS HARKINS, CMCA, CCAM
Palm Desert Country Club Association
By Luanne K. Fitton
40
FREE TES
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STIM
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ears
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installing landscape curbing
in your development.
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CONCRETE LANDSCAPE
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Creative Director &
Graphic Designer
Rodney Bissell
Bissell Design Studios Inc.
Schedule of Events
Departments
8
President’s Message
By Christina Baine DeJardin, Esq.
19
CAI National
Safe Summer Fun
24
Technology Today
Electronic Cigarettes, What’s The Harm?
By: John Walters-Clark
STEVEN SHUEY, PCAM, CCAM
Personalized Property Management
The leaders in
How “Essential” is the Essentials of
Community Association Leadership
Program
34
By The Way
Quorum Committee Vacation Memories
35
Welcome Aboard
Christina Enriquez
By Fran Mullahy
30
Community
Association
Leadership
The Curb Creator
can transform
your yard!
760.345.9696
24
www.thecurbcreator.com
Subscriber services
The Coachella Valley Quorum
Newsmagazine is a publication
expressly prepared for our
Association leaders, managers
and other related professionals
of the Community Associations
Institute. Authors are encouraged
to submit articles for publishing
consideration. All articles accepted
for publication in the Quorum
are subject to editing and rewriting
by the Publications Committee.
6
Quorum June, 2014
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35
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CoachellaValleyCAI.org
O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY: ___________________________
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From the Chapter
President’s Message
Chapter News
CAI-CV Chapter
New & Renewing Members
Christina Baine DeJardin, Esq., Peters & Freedman, LLP, CAI-CV Chapter Board President
Summer is upon us and we must brace ourselves for the heat. I hope that you will be able to take a break
and escape to somewhere cool in the next few months…. maybe the beach or somewhere tropical. Vacations
are critical to that delicate work – life balance. I hope you enjoy some time off.
This month we have our ever popular Bowling Tournament. It will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014, at Palm
Springs Lanes. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. The theme is “Summer of Love” so wear your grooviest tie
dye. I know it’s going to be a great event and I hope to see you there.
I hope you were able to catch our luncheon program last month where Lori Albert of Albert Management
and Gen Wangler of Fiore Racobs & Powers presented on crisis management and what to do when all hell
breaks loose. Lori and Gen provided some great insights and tips for dealing with crises in our communities.
Our next luncheon program will be held on Friday, July 11, 2014, at Palm Valley Country Club. Mike
Graves from SCT Reserve Consultants, Inc. and Keith Lavery from Albert Management will be presenting on
Reserve Funds and Budgets. Registration begins at 11:30 am. I know that Mike and Keith will have some great
information to share with us on this important topic. Be sure to register early.
Also, don’t miss our next Managers on the Run (MOTR) program, which will be held on Friday, June 13,
2014, at 8:30 a.m. at the Palm Desert Country Club Association Office. The topic will be “Tech Tips, Tricks &
Tools.” Please contact the Chapter Office to sign up.
I hope you’ve been following us on Twitter and Facebook. If you have, you will know that CAI National
selected our Chapter to receive an Achievement Award for Best Net Retention in a medium size chapter.
It was such an honor to accept this award on behalf of the Chapter at the CAI 2014 Annual Conference in
Orlando, Florida. It is a testament to our loyal and steadfast membership.
Our Board of Directors is diligently seeking a replacement Chapter Executive Director. We have received a
number of applications and hope to conduct interviews in the upcoming weeks. I can’t tell you how gratifying
it is to see the outpouring of support from our members. My deepest thanks go out to our Board and
Committee members who are working hard to ensure that our Chapter continues to hum along.
REJOINING MANAGER
LOU MORENO
Diversified Asphalt Products, Inc.
714-449-8666
[email protected]
Marianne Simek
Action Property Management Inc
[email protected]
Robert Lienhard
Heightened Security, Inc.
760-813-3003
[email protected]
RENEWING BUSINESS PARTNERS
NEW MANAGERS
Tiffany Goff
Albert Management Corporation
[email protected]
Matthew Rittenhouse
Desert Resort Management
[email protected]
Todd Gregory Young
Reliable Roofing by TGY
760-323-2705
Juana Zarate
First Service Residential
[email protected]
RENEWING MANAGERS
Syliva Corsini
J&W Management Co.
[email protected]
Timothy Taylor
Keystone Pacific Property Management
[email protected]
NEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
VOLUNTEER LEADERS
Julie Brown
Shadow Cove HOA
jbdesertlifegmail.com
Vicki Madler
Shadow Cove HOA
[email protected]
Christina Baine DeJardin, Esq.
Diane Johnston
Twin Springs HOA
[email protected]
The mission of CAI is to provide the leadership for successful
development and operation of community associations
through information, research and education.
Quorum June, 2014
Allen Moser
Advanced Painting Co. Inc.
800-651-6516
[email protected]
Linda La Rocque
La Rocque Better Roofs, Inc.
909-476-2699
[email protected]
Don’t forget to follow us or like us on Facebook and Twitter for some instant updates @Facebook.com/
CAICV and Twitter.com/CAI_CV. Have a great June!
CAI -CV MIS S ION S TAT EMENT
8
New Business Partners
REJOINING BUSINESS PARTNERS
Anthony Pytel
Armstrong Growers
760-360-2870
[email protected]
Jerod Pannell
United Landscape
760-347-6161
[email protected]
Frank Bruder
[email protected]
Brenda Ravn
Gold Coast Property Management
[email protected]
Jon Roy
Lake Mirage Racquet Club
Homeowners Association
[email protected]
Sara Fenimore
Palm Desert Greens Association
[email protected]
Roberta Reynolds
Palm Desert Green Association
[email protected]
William Kingston
Rancho Mirage Country Club HOA
[email protected]
Lynn Gilliam
The Management
Trust-Monarch Management
[email protected]
RENEWING MANAGEMENT
COMPANIES
Personalized Property
Management Co.
Rich Warfield
760-325-9500
[email protected]
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
RENEWING COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER
LEADERS
Bermuda Dunes
Community Association
Bonnie Auldridge
Katrina Osterberg
Ron Rowell
John Van Keulen
Mary Wattanbarger
Desert Braemar, Inc.
Susan Fagan
[email protected]
Desert Braemer, Inc.
Bonnie Meunch
[email protected]
Gary Osborn
Desert Braemar, Inc.
[email protected]
Desert Horizons Owners
Association
Chuck Baer
Richard Biagi
Lee Clancey
Dick Frankel
David McFarland
Kathy Simmons
Steven Wall
Indian Canyon Gardens
Homeowners Association
Dorothy Hedd
Leona McCabe
Sunwest Villas HOA
Ray Smith
Will Wills
[email protected]
Trilogy at La Quinta
Maintenance Association
[email protected]
John Kelly
RENEWING NATIONAL MEMBERS
Brendan Concannon
Mutual of Omaha Bank
619-961-6346
brendan.concannon@
mutualofomahabank.com
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9
Feature
Feature
Bruges to Berlin, and
All the Beer in Between
here in the States. Fields as far as
your eyes can see every color of the
rainbow. The photo here was one of
hundreds of tulip fields that we saw
that day. Finally, at the end of a very
long day, we approached Amsterdam.
I have one word of advice about driving in Amsterdam—don’t! After what
appeared to be hours, but wasn’t, we
arrived at our hotel and I had to lug
suitcases, hers and mine, up three
flights of stairs. Another word of
advice: pack light as many European
hotels do not have elevators. Of
course, what was the first thing we
thought about? A beer of course, so
we headed to a town square, have a
delightful chat with young Amsterdam students, and talk about the
Coachella fest. They all knew about it
and some had been to it. Dutch beers
are different in taste than others,
I liked them. Juanita did not. Next
day was spent at the Van Gogh (pronounced goff, not go) Art Museum, the
Anne Frank Museum (very moving),
and a short (very short) visit to the red
light district of Amsterdam. Highly
overrated in our opinion. Then it was
off to the most spectacular part of the
Netherlands, the Keukenhof Gardens
pictured here (www.keukenhof.nl).
Every year they plant over seven million tulip, hyacinth and daffodil (and
other flower) bulbs in flower displays
that literally take your breath away. If
you love flowers, Keukenhof must be
on your bucket list.
By Phyllis Harkins, Palm Desert Country Club Association
H
ow often in life we hear the
expression, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”. In my lifetime
I’ve had many opportunities to share
both the destination and the journey
in my travels. Europe is always on my
bucket list, and this article tells the
story of one memorable trip a few years
ago with my dear friend Juanita.
This trip began with our arrival in
Frankfurt, Germany, after an interminable overnight flight from Dallas. I’ve always found it best to plow
through the first day even if exhausted
with the time change. So off we went
to the expressway from Frankfurt
to Bruges, Belgium. About midway
through the four hour trip, we found
ourselves parked on a twelve lane
expressway, literally parked due to
a massive traffic accident ahead. So
there were two American women,
exhausted, sleeping in their rental
10
Quorum June, 2014
car, with the windows rolled down,
and feeling very safe parked between
two large trucks. Finally, with French
words that we didn’t understand, and
a toot of the horn by one of the truck
drivers, we awakened from our three
hour nap and headed into Bruges, the
city of canals, otherwise known as
the Venice of Northern Europe. After
checking into a lovely hotel on a canal,
off we went to the town square for
beers and pomme frites (otherwise
known as french fries). As shown by
the photo of the square, houses there
have “steps” on the rooftops. The
more steps in the house, the wealthier
the owner. After two wonderful days
in Bruges, taking canal trips, exploring
the many shops with fabulous Belgian
chocolates, lace and tapestries, and
walking the cobblestone streets, we
left on a rainy Sunday morning for
Amsterdam.
As we were driving, (or more
accurately to say, I was driving—all
1,500 miles of this adventure), Juanita
decides that she wants to see a windmill up close and personal. So we
drove until we found a large group of
them and walked through and around
them in the rain. Back in the car, and
off we go in search of tulips. Until this
trip, I had no idea how many thousands of types and colors of tulips
exist. Many of them we never see
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Feature
•
•
•
•
•
Next stop was Germany, so off we
went, stopping at many cities along
the way in search of that city’s local
beer. The photo showing the field of
yellow is a mustard field, one of thousands all across Germany. Germans
do like their mustard, and grow most
of the seed for the world. Almost every
town in Germany has a local brewery,
and it’s interesting to chat with tavern
employees about their cities brewery;
they are proud of them. My personal
favorite is the dark beers; Juanita
preferred the ales, so we kept the local
economies humming as we traveled
across Germany, heading to Berlin.
This was our first trip across Northern
Germany, and it was fascinating to be
able to compare the infrastructures of
Northern and Southern Germany. We
especially noticed the huge differrences as we entered what previously
was East Germany under the Communist rule. Almost a night and day
difference in the factories, houses,
highways and cities. One treat for us
in our travels was to visit the local grocery stores. How different, yet similar
they are to American stores. Much
smaller, for certain, and not nearly the
selection of any food category.
So after two days on the road in
Germany, we headed towards Berlin,
our final destination. Now remember
that I’ve been doing all the driving on
this trip, in a stick shift foreign something car; they have odd names for
their cars there; you don’t see Chevys
or Fords. So now we are driving into
Berlin on the Kaiserstrasse, 16 lane
(or more) wide street, with parking
on both sides and in the middle, in
search of the Brandenburg Gate. And
while I’m driving I’m also reading the
map, because Juanita cannot read a
map and our rental GPS decided to
not work on this trip. Another word of
advice, always have a backup plan; in
this case, paper maps. What memories I have of that drive, it’s a good
thing that I don’t understand German
as I’m sure I would not want to have
known what the people were saying
to me. Finally we arrive at the iconic
Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of freedom for many thousands of Germans.
Now it’s a tourist spot; up to the late
eighties, it meant freedom to East Berlin residents. There is still one section
of the Berlin Wall (pictured here) that
remains; unfortunately it has been
marred by graffiti. Graffiti is a huge
problem throughout Europe; I was
always amazed at how much I would
see on my trips. When the Wall was
taken down in the late eighties, bricks
were installed in the place where the
Wall was. So you can “walk the Wall”
by following the bricks throughout
the city. It was sad to think about how
families were separated by the Wall,
right down the middle of a street.
There is a museum at the Checkpoint
Charlie gate (pictured) and it tells
hundreds of stories of people who were
and were not able to escape the communist side of Berlin.
A boat ride on the Spree River in Berlin will also show you
the West and the East sides of Berlin. And it will provide
you with an impressive view of the Reichstag, the former
seat of government for Germany.
Yes, there was beer in Berlin and fabulous white
asparagus. White asparagus is a delicacy in Germany
and we just happened to be there when it was available.
Interestingly when people think of German food, they
think of beef and pork dishes. Germans are known for
their fish. And their sauces, some of the best. So we left
Berlin, full of beer, great food and memories too many to
count. And I’m now so grateful for those memories. As I
began this article in late April, I chatted with Juanita, and
told her she had the final say on it. Sadly to say, I lost my
friend in mid-May to a brief but severe illness. I know she
is proud of this story. I will miss my traveling buddy.
So get going, start checking off your bucket list items.
Don’t worry about language issues in Europe, with a
common phrase dictionary, and lots of respect toward
the Europeans, you will do just fine, and create your lifetime memories. Auf Wiedersehen!
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www.conservelandcare.com
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www.securitas.com/us/en
Phyllis Harkins is the Association Manager for
Palm Desert Country Club Association. You can
contact her at (760) 345-2331, or by email at
[email protected].
Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.
For more information on how we can exceed your
expectations, contact Kaitlin Bohigian, Palm Desert
Branch Manager at (760) 779-0728.
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Quorum June, 2014
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13
Feature
Feature
Board Members: Why Serve?
By Stephen Grane – Alante Insurance Programs
I was asked by Quorum Magazine
to write an article regarding insurance
and I ended up writing this article.
After attending hundreds of board
meetings, just why do Board Members
serve on a Board? Board Members
would tell me they wish more homeowners would be interested in serving
on the Board so they could have a better understanding on how insurance
works and the necessity of understanding what needs to be covered
and why. I went out and interviewed
two current Board Members and one
former Board Member from different
sized communities and different areas
in the State of California.
The first Board member:
Clark McDonald of Blossom Hills
Estates II in the San Jose area of California with 344 condominium units.
Clark has served on the Board for 23
years; being President for 10 years and
treasure for the balance of these years.
The second Board Member:
Ellie Monroe (Ret.) of La Terraza HOA
in Yorba Linda, CA with 136 townhome units. Ellie served on the Board
for three years and served as President
during those years.
The third Board Member:
Mike Watson of New Providence HOA
in San Clemente, CA with 225 units.
Mike is serving as Board President
this year.
I will be using each Board Members’
initials when responding to answers.
Why be a
Board Member?
EM = Our homes are generally the
largest investment that we will make.
The financial health of the association
will impact our property value greatly.
14
Quorum June, 2014
I think it is wise to be involved in
protecting the value of our properties
through membership on the board.
Good, sound financial decisions in our
operational cost and investments are a
key in accomplishing that goal.
CM = Two reasons: First, at some
point in your life, you need to give
back to your community and by doing
volunteer work in serving as a board
member is one of the best ways to do
that. Secondly, if you live in an HOA,
serving on the board is a great way
to bring positive change in the place
where you live.
MW = I am now retired and have
the time to give the position as a board
member the attention it needs. I feel
that business experience would be
a good asset in helping manage the
financial aspects of the HOA.
Is being a Board
Member worth all
the work?
EM = The majority of the time I
have found that being an active board
member has been worth all the work.
There have been moments that I have
asked that question myself. Overall,
I feel that I have served an important
function in my community.
CM = Yes and No. It is when you
see the fruits of your labor benefit the
HOA in a positive fashion and member’s thank you for your efforts.
MW = At times you have to wonder, but without the hard work of the
volunteer members the community
would suffer in many ways. It is
rewarding to see the well maintained
landscaping and great curb appeal we
have.
What was the
biggest challenge
you faced as a
board member
and how did you
resolve it?
EM = The biggest challenge for me
was facing a recall just as I had gotten
selected to the board. There was tremendous division in the community
at that time, as a result of two different
philosophies within the board. When
I was selected on the board via recall,
the biggest challenge was to find a
means of bringing cohesiveness back
to the community. When I became
President, my philosophy was that the
best solution was not to engage in any
of the negativity and to keep a diplomatic open mind in making decisions.
CM = Normally the biggest challenges are about money. When I
first got on the board there were no
reserves. The first thing I did was
renegotiate the laundry machines
contract to get an upfront signing
bonus. This was the start of our
reserves. I try to operate on the premise there will be no special assessments, so I build contingencies into
the budget and I am up front and communicate with my community members. Over the long term I think this
is the best, but it can create short term
problems such as year to year dues
going up more than members like.
MW = A near panic situation
was when a community member
feared their house would slide into
the canyon below. We quickly hired
respected professionals to analyze the
situation and give assurances to the
homeowners that they were not at risk.
What is the most
difficult aspect
of your work as a
board member?
EM = The most difficult aspect of
my work as a board member has been
with our vendors. When vendors are
not performing it becomes a challenge
for the board to remedy the issues. It
takes a good deal of communication
and patience to make these relationships work. A good example of that is
when we need an answer regarding
insurance and you respond back to us
right away.
CM = Mostly, it’s dealing with
members that don’t believe the rules
apply to them. They never receive
any information mailed to them, they
believe they and they alone are being
singled out for rules violations and
they complain about everything, but
do not have time to help.
MW = Dealing with members who
choose to ignore the CC&R’s and do as
they please. It is an emotional drain
on the Board and a financial drain on
the other homeowners.
What are some
of the things
that make all of
the work you do
worthwhile?
EM = When I see that projects are
completed. It is very rewarding to see
the results of the various projects the
board pondered over and taken hours
to carefully make an important decision. Knowing that these investments
are adding to the curb appeal of our
community is satisfying.
CM = People and/or organizations
will respond if they see others making an effort. With our Neighborhood
Watch Program, San Jose Police LT
has taken a special interest in our
HOA and has helped us keep the crime
down. Seeing the local police take an
interest like this makes a lot of work
worthwhile.
MW = The positive recognition that
does come along from time to time.
Most people do realize it is a volunteer
position and comes with little thanks.
What is the most
rewarding part
of being a board
member?
EM = I enjoy watching committee members grow in their roles as
they take action in decision making for their community. It has been
great treat for me to meet many of my
neighbors.
CM = Having members, even some
you’ve disagreed with, come up to you
and say they really trust you, thank
you for taking care of their money and
are appreciative of your time.
MW = Receiving a simple thank
you from a neighbor is very rewarding.
Do you think there
should be term
limits for board
members?
EM = I believe that there should
be term limits for board members.
I’m not sure what the limits should
be. One or two terms that way the
mix should change as the community
membership changes
CM = Normally, I’d say yes to this,
but in my experience, there is a great
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
deal of apathy in HOA’s and it is hard
to get qualified members to serve. So,
in many cases, this could be wind up
being counterproductive.
MW = Yes I do, but with so few
people interested in serving I fear
there would be empty seats on the
Board if that were adopted and strictly
enforced.
I want to thank each of these dedicated past and present Board Members for taking the time to share their
experiences with Quorum Magazine.
As an Insurance Broker it is wonderful
to work with board members such as
the ones you have heard from in this
article. The main reason they are volunteering their time is because they
have a strong desire to improve their
community. My advice to board members is to make sure you know what is
covered in your Directors and Officers
policy. If you as a board member are
doing any work around the association’s property make sure you have a
Workers Compensation policy in place
as well. This is a very inexpensive
policy but will save you a headache if
someone should get hurt.
Stephen S. Grane, is a Broker for Alante
Insurance Programs Specializing
insuring Homeowners Associations for
over 30 years, with over 20 years in the
Coachella Valley. You can reach Stephen
at 949-679-7131, cell #714-336-7500, or
[email protected]
Receiving a
simple thank
you from a
neighbor is
very rewarding.
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15
Homeowners Association Law
Short Term Rental Restrictions –
Tips on Gathering the Evidence
By Margaret “Gen” Wangler, Esq. CCAL
Many associations have restrictions on short term leasing in order
to avoid the noise, traffic and party
atmosphere that typically comes with
vacationers visiting our valley for a
week or weekend. But it is a struggle
to enforce them, especially in April,
when the Coachella and Stagecoach
festivals take place. Ideally, governing documents that restrict short term
leasing will include or authorize rules
that assist in enforcement. Many
associations require all leases to be
in writing, require owners to provide
copies of those leases to the association, and require owners to provide
identifying information about their
tenants.
16
Quorum June, 2014
A fine schedule with fines high
enough to discourage owners from
merely treating fines as a “cost of
doing business” can be an effective tool. Of course, courts require
that fines be “reasonable,” but a fine
that is related to the rental amount
that an owner can command would
probably be viewed favorably. When
considering appropriate penalties,
consider that the City of Indian Wells
recently imposed a moratorium on
short term rentals and imposed fines
of $2,000.00, $3,000.00 and $5,000.00
for first, second, and third violations of
that moratorium, respectively.
But before you can impose discipline, you need to have evidence of
the violation. If you suspect an owner
is renting to short term tenants, try
to find out as much as you can about
the rental activity before notifying
the owner of your suspicions. Once
an owner knows he is being watched,
he may hide his activity much more
carefully by instructing tenants to pretend they are his friends or family, by
changing the language of online ads,
or even by falsifying lease agreements.
Start your investigation by looking
for online ads with Google searches
of the association’s name, the owner’s
name, the address of the property, the
owner’s email address, and the owner’s phone number. Search Facebook
and Twitter for all identifying information about the owner. If the owner
has a unique username for his email
address, search that same username
on social media. Allow your search
results to prompt additional searches
for online ads.
Search vacation rental websites like
vrbo.com, homeaway.com, airbnb.
com, craigslist.org, and flipkey.com.
Many of these websites have a map
that allows you to zoom in to your
community, but they do not include
properties with addresses that are not
listed in the ad. Pictures of a swimming pool or other outdoor structure
can help identify the property.
Once you find one ad, search for
more by quoting the exact language of
the description of the advertised property. The owner probably repeated
the same description on multiple
websites.
Ads often include a wealth of
information about an owner’s rental
“Search Facebook and
Twitter for all identifying
information about the owner.
If the owner has a unique
username for his email
address, search that same
username on social media.”
activity, like a calendar of available dates showing that a property
is repeatedly unavailable for short
periods of time. They often state that
the minimum stay is less than what is
permitted in the CC&Rs. They might
even include evidence of the financial
relationship between the owner and
tenant, proving that an occupant was
not just a friend who stayed for free.
Once you have established a
pattern of violations, you may have
enough information hold hearings to
fine the owner or suspend membership privileges, or even to pursue
litigation. Do not be too concerned
with proving each violation beyond a
shadow of a doubt. Recently an owner
told a board that her guests were just
friends visiting from out of town and
that she did not charge them rent.
One of those “friends” later posted a
scathing online review of the property.
That did not sound like something a
friend would do. Neither did it absolutely prove the violation. But, when
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
combined with other circumstantial
evidence, it helped build a case that
the owner engaged in a repeated pattern of violations.
Don’t worry if you never find the
“smoking gun.” If an owner advertises
his property for short term tenancies, a
judge is unlikely to believe his claims
that his 30-day tenants left early after
arriving on the first day of Coachella,
and that the guests who arrived on the
first day of Stagecoach were just the
owner’s friends visiting from out of
town. Remember, when a judge puts
on his robe and walks into a courtroom, he does not check his common
sense at the door.
Margaret G. “Gen” Wangler,
Esq., is a senior shareholder
of Fiore Racobs & Powers,
which devotes its practice to
the representation of community
associations. She can be reached at
760-776-6511, or at
[email protected].
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17
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• Their full name, address and telephone
number.
• To keep doors locked and not open the
door if they are home alone.
• Not to approach a vehicle or accept a ride
from anyone without your permission.
• To avoid pools and other bodies of water
without adult supervision.
• Their curfew, and to call you if they will be
late.
Parents also should remember to:
• Supervise children at malls, movies,
arcades and parks.
• Choose and screen babysitters with care.
• Investigate day care centers and recreational camps thoroughly before enrolling your children.
• Always listen to your children.
©2014 Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Smartstreet is a registered mark of Union Bank, N.A.
18
Quorum June, 2014
For more information, visit The National
Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s
website at www.ncmec.org.
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19
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Quorum June, 2014
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21
1
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in the Valley!
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New State Rule Will Be
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valley. Unfortunately, this could mean bill increases for
he California Department of Public Health in April
CVWD customers of about $50 a month per household.
announced a new regulation for chromium-6 at 10
Our elected board of directors will have to decide how
parts per billion (ppb). About half of the Coachella Valley
best to fund the needed improvements and implement
Water District’s wells are impacted by the new regulation of
chromium-6, which is a mineral that occurs naturally in por- gradual rate increases. Customers always have an opportunity to be involved in the distions of the valley’s aquifer,
trict’s rate increase process,
the source of our drinking
The Coachella Valley will be one of the and will be notified before
water.
Chromium-6 poses no
most financially impacted areas in the increases are considered.
The new regulation level,
immediate health risks. The
state
as
a
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of
this
regulation,
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equal to about 10 drops in
state is regulating chromium-6 because of potential
first of its type in the nation. While studies 10,000 gallons, is expected
to go into effect on July 1.
long-term health concerns
are still under way, complying with this CVWD is working with state
based on high doses. You
can continue to drink, cook
regulation is expected to require the most and local representatives
on legislation that would
with and use your tap water
costly public works project in the history provide a reasonable amount
as our team identifies and
of time to build the needed
implements the most effiof
the
valley.
Unfortunately,
this
could
infrastructure. It is possible
cient, cost-effective compliance plan. Your tap water has
mean bill increases for CVWD customers that if a compliance period
is not granted, for the very
always complied with the
of about $50 a month per household.
first time CVWD will have
state standard for all forms of
to notify customers that our
chromium at 50 ppb and the
drinking water does not meet all regulations. We
federal standard at 100 ppb.
encourage you to reach out to your representatives
If you would like more information about the
and let them know your opinions on this presshealth risks, the Cal EPA office of Environmental
ing issue, as we work diligently to comply with this
Health Hazard Assessment website is at oehha.org/
regulation.
public_info/facts/Cr6facts072711.html. CVWD also
I encourage you to get engaged in the process.
has compiled an up-to-date resource center for our
As regulations evolve, CVWD will continue to meet
customers at www.cvwd.org/cr6.
all new standards set by the state and federal govThe Coachella Valley will be one of the most
ernment. We will continue to keep our customers
financially impacted areas in the state as a result
informed about these regulations and their impacts.
of this regulation, the first of its type in the nation.
While studies are still under way, complying with
Jim Barrett is the General Manager of the
this regulation is expected to require the most
Coachella Valley Water District. He can be
costly public works project in the history of the
reached at [email protected] or (760) 398-2651.
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Quorum June, 2014
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23
Technology Today
Electronic Cigarettes,
What’s The Harm?
But how does it affect
you, your clients and HOA
homeowners in general?
By John Walters-Clark,
NPG/Nelson Paving
& Sealing
T
his seems to be the million dollar question, what’s the
harm with using e-cigarettes? We all know by now that
tobacco use is the leading cause of cancer and heart disease.
We’ve all be taught over the last 45 years or so how detrimental smoking is and how harmful second hand smoke is. We
pretty much get that. Anti-smoking laws have been in full
force for years. But what about this relatively new phenomenon called e-cigarettes?
I recently reached out to the FDA and asked them what
the future holds for e-cigarettes and are they as dangerous
as people are starting say? This is what they had to say.
“Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated products
that turn nicotine, which is highly addictive, and/or other
chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user. The
FDA regulates electronic cigarettes that are marketed for
therapeutic purposes as drugs or devices. The FDA intends
to propose a regulation that would extend the agency’s
‘tobacco product‘ authorities -- which currently only apply
to cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and
smokeless tobacco -- to other categories of tobacco products that meet the statutory definition of “tobacco product.”
Further research is needed to assess the potential public
health benefits and risks of electronic cigarettes and other
novel tobacco products.” I was still left to wonder what the issue was. I know
people that still choose to smoke and I now how hard it is to
24
Quorum June, 2014
“Just recently the State of Utah, the cities
of Carlsbad, Los Angeles and Chicago
have banned e-cigarettes in public places,
putting into effect laws that mirror
conventional anti-smoking laws.”
quit if you so choose. I also know people who have all but
kicked the habit of conventional smokes and have turned to
e-cigs.
Just recently the State of Utah, the cities of Carlsbad,
Los Angeles and Chicago have banned e-cigarettes in
public places, putting into effect laws that mirror conventional anti-smoking laws. The FDA is poised to regulate
e-cigarettes and other “vaping” devices for the first time,
potentially reshaping an industry that generates roughly $2
billion a year in the United States. Some industry analysts
see e-vapor consumption out pacing that of traditional
cigarettes.
Dr. Priscilla Callahan-Lyon of the FDA’s Center for
Tobacco Products wrote in a recent medical journal article:
“Contradictory findings from preliminary studies have
become ammunition in the lobbying campaign around the
devices, which allow users to inhale nicotine without the
damaging tar produced by conventional cigarettes.”
Public health officials have said the devices may encourage nonsmokers, particularly young people, to try conventional cigarettes. E-cigarette advocates have argued that
they provide a safer alternative for smokers.
The FDA has sponsored research to try to answer safety
questions, and it is examining its database of adverse events for any trends
that might raise concerns.
I recently reached out to Laurie
Poole, Esq., of Peters & Freedman,
LLP, and asked her opinion as to where
she sees the issue of e-cigarettes as it
pertains to HOA law: “Banning traditional tobacco and marijuana cigarettes in homeowners associations has
been a hot issue for the past several
years. Many associations have considered such bans due to health concerns,
as there is reliable data concerning
adverse health risks in exposure to
secondhand smoke. The other main
reason associations have addressed
this issue is due to nuisance complaints from those who are exposed to
secondhand smoke.
Advocates in favor of e-cigarettes
claim that they do not have the same
health and nuisance issues as traditional cigarettes. However, the governmental entities that have banned
e-cigarettes cite concerns that the
use of e-cigs in locations where other
types of cigarettes, pipes and cigars
are prohibited could cause confusion,
uncertainty and make it more difficult
to enforce bans on smoking. Other
reasons are health issues, the desire
to promote a smoke-free environment
and concerns that e-cigs may serve as
an introduction to smoking to younger
consumers due to the added colors
and candy-like flavoring.
Due to the lack of medical data,
associations will need to balance the
competing information, pay attention to future research, and determine
whether e-cigs are a safer, inoffensive alternative that will cause less
resident complaints than traditional
cigarettes.”
John Walters-Clark is
Business Development,
Desert Division for NPG/
Nelson Paving & Sealing and
can be reached at (760) 822-3258 or by
email at [email protected]
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By Charles Walters-Clark, Management Trust
D
enver can almost compete. Seattle and Portland try,
but fall short. Nowhere in the lower 48 can you find
more hiking trails (more than 140) within the 60-mile-plus
radius of Palm Springs. And nowhere in such a concentrated
area will you find the diversity of topography and flora. With
elevations of 11,000 feet to below sea level, this desert resort
area is fast becoming one of the country’s pre-eminent hiking destinations.
Legislation has created one of California’s great scenic
state parks, Mount San Jacinto, along with Joshua Tree
National Park, the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains
National Monument, and the scenic nature preserves of
the Coachella Valley: Whitewater Canyon and Big Morongo
Canyon. In addition, the Agua Caliente Reservation offers
the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs.
Then there is the world famous Palm Springs area
weather: Where else from November to April can you hike
beneath sunny skies with an average 78-degree temperature? As temps rise on the desert floor, hikers seek the high
country, making this a year-round destination for hikers to
refresh themselves physically and spiritually.
The following hiking trails represent just a sampling of
what the Palm Springs area has to offer and if you’re vacationing in our beautiful valley or live here full or part-time,
you don’t have to drive very far to enjoy…...
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Feature
Feature
1. Palm Canyon
Trail to the
Stone Pools (Palm
Springs Indian
Canyons)
Length: 6 miles
Hiking Time: 3 hours
2
Elevation Gain: 880 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail takes you through the
lush jungle-like river bottom of Palm
Canyon and out to backcountry High
Desert plateaus, where the entire
horizon seems to open up. Looking
14 miles south toward the distant
Santa Rosa Mountains, the trail is
surrounded by the San Jacinto mountains, which soar dramatically from
the canyon floor. Stunning views of
the desert and Palm Springs appear to
your rear, followed by a series of magnificent plunging cliffs, waterfalls, and
exotic pools fed by clear, shimmering
ribbons of water racing through the
rock gorges.
2. The Araby Trail
Beginning Elevation 400
Elevation Gain 800’
This trail gives the hiker great views of the Coachella Valley, and you get to
hike right past Bob Hope’s house!! It is a fairly easy hike from the start at the
Rimcrest/Southridge gate to Bob Hope’s house. You can forget about buying one
of those postcards of Bob Hope’s house, instead send your friends one that you
took while hiking right next to it! After you hike up the Araby past Bob Hope’s
house, you can continue up the trail for access to the Berns, Garstin and Henderson Trails. Like any of the other trails in the area, even in mild temperature
conditions you will need plenty of water.
Be sure to bring some snacks to enjoy once you reach the top of the trail.
There are no picnic tables, but there are plenty of rocks to sit on and enjoy the
view of the Coachella Valley while you take a well-deserved lunch break. The
Araby trail can be accessed either at the entrance to the Rimcrest/Southridge
development (that’s where Bob Hope’s house is), or via the Berns, Henderson
and Garstin Trails. If starting from the Rimcrest/Southridge road, the trail can
be found on the left (east) side of the road, before you get to the guard gate. Park
in the dirt on the right side of the road immediately after turning onto the Rimcrest/Southridge road.
3. The Rancho Mirage
“Bump-n-Grind” Trail
Length 2 Miles
Elevation 250’ – 1000’
Moderate to Strenuous
1
28
Quorum June, 2014
Quickly becoming one of the Coachella Valley’s most popular trails, this trail is actually
known by several different names, including the
Desert Drive Trail, Patton Trail (some people say
3
it was built by General Patton’s troops, Desert Mirage Trail,
and the ever-popular Dog Poop Trail (plastic bags and a
trash receptacle were made available at the beginning of
the trail for animal waste). Please keep in mind Palm Desert has amended its trail-use ordinance, legally prohibiting
all but service dogs from most Palm Desert trails. The official reason dogs have been banned is to preserve habitat
that is home to a number of endangered and protected species, in particular the Peninsular bighorn sheep.
After starting out as a narrow trail at the bottom, it joins
a wider road that leads up from the valley floor to a vantage point that gives the hiker a nice view of Palm Desert,
Rancho Mirage and the Coachella Valley. While the Bumpn-Grind doesn’t give the hiker an experience of solitude
like they will get hiking some of the other Coachella Valley
trails, it is a great cardio workout for hikers and for those
who just want to get in shape. It is also a good trail to hike
during the summer months because it is a wide trail that
makes it easier to see and avoid the rattlesnakes that are
out and about during the scorching summer weather. The
trail is not considered to be an “official” trail, and does
cross private property in some areas, so only use the official trailhead to access the trail.
The access point for
this trail is located on
Painters Path behind
the Target store in Palm
Desert. The City of Rancho Mirage is restricting
entrance to the Bump
and Grind from the other
older trailheads located
in residential areas, so do
not use them.
5
4
4. Palm Springs Museum Trail
1.5 Miles
Elevation: 520’ - 850’
To reach this trail, go to the corner of the Palm Springs
Art Museum’s north parking lot. The Museum Trail rises
above the city of Palm Springs, and offers spectacular
views of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. From the
parking lot at the museum, to the top of the trail is a good,
hard, uphill hike. When
you finally reach the picnic
tables at the top you will be
ready for a rest.
5. The North
Lykken Trail
The North Lykken Trail
can be accessed from the
west end of Ramon Road.
Follow Ramon Road till it
ends at the mountain, and
you will see the trailhead off to the right. Park on the side street off Ramon Road. The
trail will lead you about a mile and a half where you will find the picnic tables that are
also accessible from the Museum Trail leading from the Palm Springs Museum.
It is a moderately strenuous hike, but the views of Palm Springs and Tahquitz Canyon
make it worthwhile.
In closing, please remember to take plenty of water and a few light, healthy snacks
with you before you begin your local adventure. Be safe, have fun and respect our beautiful environment.
Charles Walters-Clark, CCAM, has been in the HOA industry for 10 years with the
Management Trust, Monarch Group Division. He currently manages 10
homeowners associations, from Palm Springs to Palm Desert, comprised of over
600 homes. He has been a certified manager since 2006. Charles has served on
several CAI-CV committees throughout the years. Favorite things to do are bowling and
working out; quirky thing that people wouldn’t know is that he likes to do cartoon voiceovers.
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29
Chapter Events
W
hat an educational awakening
to the world of homeowners’
associations I received when attending
the recent volunteer program “Essentials of Community Association Leadership” held April 11, 2014 at Palm Valley
Country Club. Volunteering to serve
my community as a board member
on our HOA has led me to more fully
understand what it takes to operate and
maintain a homeowners’ association.
Experiencing a baptism-by-fire initiation meant listening closely and making important decisions right off the bat
from the first board meeting I attended
and all the meetings since.
Like the saying goes, “Getting old
isn’t for sissies”. The same holds true
for serving on a HOA board – it isn’t for
sissies. It takes more than interest. It
is also a necessity to know how a HOA
operates. Our HOA board is fortunate to have a manager who informs
and advises us prior to our making
important decisions. Observing our
manager’s effective communication
skills has been paramount. One needs
How “Essential”
is the Essentials
of Community
Association
Leadership
Program
By Luanne K. Fitton, Director,
Palm Desert Country Club Association
30
Quorum June, 2014
Community
Association
Leadership
Some homeowners are not aware
they are even in a HOA, don’t
understand why it exists, or think
it is a waste of time and money.
to be firm yet friendly with our fellow homeowners who
have an issue that we must endeavor to resolve with finesse
each and every time. For me, it was time to get a closer look.
The manager keeps the board advised of the HOA’s financial and legal issues, communicates and problem-solves
with our homeowners, attorneys, and a multitude of other
vendors. The manager has a thorough knowledge of our
CC&R’s.
Discovering how a HOA is established by the developer,
forming an ad hoc committee before a full board is established; appointing officers and committees; and learning
what the board’s responsibilities are to protect our community is what I learned and wish all our homeowners should
know. Some homeowners are not
aware they are even in a HOA,
don’t understand why it exists,
or think it is a waste of time and
money. Homeowners would do
well to learn how their lifestyles
are protected and their community preserved by their HOA.
While I leave the area of finance
to those more proficient with
numbers, it is still important to
understand how a HOA operates
financially within the state laws.
That we are a non-profit organization binds us to the laws that
govern how we can utilize our
assessments. In problem-solving,
how best can we communicate a
necessity and for what amount, if
applicable? “Educate, not advocate.” Words that were spoken
by attorney Mary Howell. Urge
homeowners to vote to pass their
CC&Rs – probably the most challenging task confronting a board.
There is more information
to assimilate before I understand well enough the invaluable information the speakers
imparted at this program. This
is just the beginning. I thank our
HOA board for allowing me this
opportunity to attend the volunteer program.
Luanne K. Fitton is a
volunteer board
director for the Palm
Desert Country Club
Homeowners’ Association. She
chairs the Community
Improvement Committee. Ms.
Fitton has been a resident of Palm
Desert Country Club since 1994.
Prior to her relocation to Palm
Desert, she worked for the Ernest
W. Hahn Co. in San Diego in the
Property Management and
Leasing Divisions.
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
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31
Feature
Most diet foods register as little or zero
calories but still cause a spike in insulin
levels, which causes the body to store fat.
So, Your
Isn’t Working?
By Nicole Ortiz, ND
5. You think happy hour doesn’t count because
you are eating small portions.
It is easy to underestimate the metabolic changes that
occur after a drink (or two), especially when you are rationalizing the money saved from the happy hour discount.
Add a small plate of fried food and you have just sent your
metabolism reeling into a tailspin before dinner has even
started.
6. You’re stressed and have been for years.
I
am writing yet another weight loss article, not because I
want to tell you about the latest diet trends, but actually
to illuminate the opposite perspective. I want to explain
why your diet isn’t working.
This article is intended to help you understand why –
despite your dedication, perseverance, and sweat – those
pounds of fat keep sticking to you like glue. The statement
that is repeated DAILY in my office goes something like,
“I just don’t understand why I cannot lose weight even
with all the hard work I do.” My hope is that this article
will shed some light on why your diet and exercise routine
is failing you.
8 Reasons Why You Can’t
Win the Battle of the Bulge:
1. You love the treadmill and are afraid that
weights will make you bulky.
Long cardio sessions (45+ minutes) can actually work
against your weight loss efforts. The prolonged cardio burn
is the same as a prolonged stress response, increasing the
production and utilization of cortisol in your body. In the
long-term, this response promotes insulin resistance and
the loss of muscle, not fat. A better option? HIIT, or High
Intensity Interval Training (over a shorter period of time),
which is characterized by alternating between periods
of high- and low-intensity activity during a workout. For
example, instead of running on the treadmill at a moderate
pace for 30 minutes, you could alternate between sprinting
for one minute and then jogging for two minutes.
There is evidence that this alternating intensity
32
Quorum June, 2014
technique maximizes fat burning. According to a study
published in the Journal of American Physiology, participants who engaged in HIIT activities regularly burned
greater amounts of fat and improved their overall cardiovascular fitness. HIIT may work by training the cell’s
energy centers to burn fat calories before carbohydrate
calories.
2. You believe eating fat will make you fat.
All fat is not created equal. There is very healthy fat and
very unhealthy fat, and the two should never be confused. The “bad” kind of fat consists of trans-fats, omega 6
fats, and the processed fats that are used to manufacture
processed foods. Healthy fats are found in fresh, wild fish;
nuts and coconut; grass fed animal meats and pasture
raised eggs; avocados and olives. Eating healthy fats in lieu
of sugar actually gives us sustained energy, satiation, and
more burning of fat for our fuel source.
3. You think fruit is a healthy “go to” snack.
Fruit is not evil, but it does break down into glucose,
or sugar, in your intestine. Your body does not care if the
sugar is from a healthy source or not. Its very presence
causes insulin to be released, and when excess glucose
is present, the insulin will direct its storage into fat. Fruit
intake should be moderated, like all sweets. The best
choices are antioxidant-rich berries and pitted fruits.
4. You think DIET soda doesn’t count.
Most diet foods register as little or zero calories but still
cause a spike in insulin levels, which causes the body to
store fat. Other chemicals in diet foods, like MSG, have
also been shown to induce obesity.
Any type of stress, whether internal or external, causes
the body to enter into a state of self-preservation. This
results in altered hormone levels, especially cortisol. Prolonged stimulation of the fight or flight response results in
increased fat storage in the mid-section.
7. You eat gluten-free but don’t limit your grains.
As mentioned above, processed carbohydrates manipulate your blood sugar and insulin levels. Over time, your
cells become insulin resistant, which makes it very difficult for your body to burn fat effectively, regardless of
exercise and caloric intake.
8. You skip naps for the gym and stay up late to
watch your favorite program.
Lack of sleep is a constantly overlooked source of
weight gain. Our sleep patterns have a significant impact
on our hormone levels, in particular, cortisol and growth
hormone. Disruptions in these hormones lead to weight
gain by changing your metabolism, increasing cravings
and your emotional relationship with food.
In the end, the best way to lose weight is to adopt a balanced lifestyle. This includes eating good fats and nonprocessed, non-diet foods, moving your body regularly
and effectively, obtaining adequate amounts of sleep, and
finding healthy ways to manage stress. Although there is,
unfortunately, no miracle diet which is true and permanent, the tips mentioned above can guide you to a healthier, fitter lifestyle which will continue even after the extra
pounds melt away.
3
WAYS
TO CUT YOUR
WINTER WATER BILL
Dr. Nicole Ortiz is the co-owner of Live Well Clinic
and a Naturopathic Doctor with a focus in
preventative cardiology. For more information
call (760) 771.5970 or visit www.livewellclinic.org.
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
Turn off your sprinkler
system when it rains to
conserve water
Adjust your irrigation
controllers for the cooler
winter temperatures
Convert your grass to
Lush & Efficient desert
landscaping
For more information,
call Coachella Valley Water District
at (760) 398-2651
or visit www.cvwd.org
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33
By The Way
Quorum Committee Vacation Memories
Welcome Aboard
By Fran Mullahy, Vintage Associates, Inc
Writers for every topic.
Christina Enriquez
One of my favorite vacation memories was in 2005 when my wife
Karen, our two sons Michael and Daniel, and I took an Alaskan cruise.
This is a picture of all of us at the Mendenhall Glacier, which as you can
see is quite spectacular! Alaska is an amazing state and I look forward
to taking another cruise there with Karen next year when Michael and
Daniel are both in college and we become empty nesters!
- Gary Kessler, Esq., Adams Kessler PLC.
When growing up, my parents always took us to Mammoth Mountain to go skiing. It had easily become my favorite vacation spot for the
winter ski trips. Last year was the first time my own family was able to
go up during the summertime and we were amazed at all we were able
to do and enjoy.
Mammoth Mountain has great camping but we were fortunate
enough to stay at a wonderful condo right at the base of the mountain.
We enjoyed taking our bikes on the free tram that took us to the top of
the road where there were trails we could ride on and coast all the way
down to the bottom. Easy enough for the beginner or the advanced
riders.
I would definitely recommend Mammoth Mountain for the avid
hiker and biker. Our family can’t wait for the next time we get to head
up to the mountains. - Rodney Bissell, Bissell Design Studios Inc.
34
Quorum June, 2014
One of my favorite vacations was
our 2009 summer vacation which I
call the “Ball Field and Battlefield
Tour.” We planned the trip based on
the interests of our family members. My older son and I are interested in
baseball so we traveled to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown
NY and went to a Red Sox game at
Fenway Park. My husband wanted to
see Harvard Business School where
his father had attended, so while we
were in Boston, off to Harvard we
went. My younger son is into anything dealing with war history and
the military so we visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Manassas,
Virginia (Battle of Bull Run 1 and 2). The photo of Gettysburg taken by my
younger son (11 at the time) perfectly
captures the somber feeling that we
all experienced while we were there
– just thinking about all the lives that
were lost and the sheer magnitude of
the Civil War. I came away from that
trip believing that every American
should be required to visit Gettysburg in order to understand the
sacrifices that were made to keep our
country together. - Laurie S. Poole,
Esq., CCAL, PETERS & FREEDMAN,
L.L.P. Attorneys At Law
Having worked in various industries,
including real estate, Christina believes
the CID industry has been one of the most
challenging, but at the same time the most
rewarding. Christina enjoys managing communities, but the most motivating part of her
job is the wonderful people she has worked
with and met over the years. In Christina’s
eighteen years of working in this wonderful
industry, she has had the pleasure of meeting
and working with so many great managers,
community leaders and business partners.
She has been able to learn something from
each and every one of them, which has made
her experience most rewarding.
Christina began her career in property
management as a customer service representative, which she thoroughly enjoyed. As
she became more interested and knowledgeable in the industry, she worked towards her
CCAM certification in 2003. Christina’s past
experiences include managing small and
large scale onsite communities, as well as
project management.
Christina is currently managing community portfolio accounts with Desert
Resort Management. In November 2013,
she received her CMCA Certification and
is currently working towards her goal to
reach the PCAM Certification. Christina
is happily married with three children and
three grandchildren. Christina enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, which
includes hiking, bike riding, going to the
movies and baking for her grandchildren.
It’s hard to believe she has grandchildren!
Give our readers your
unique perspective.
Join the fastest-growing
committee in the Chapter.
Please contact the CAI-CV
office to become famous
and wield that pen like
a sword. Come join the
Quorum today!
[email protected] (760) 341-0559
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
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35
go the extra mile
for your clients
become a cai educated business partner
You go the extra mile for your business. Show your community
association clients you’re willing to go the extra mile for them, too.
The new Educated Business Partner distinction recognizes active
CAI Business Partner members who have successfully
completed Business Partner Essentials, an online course
developed by CAI to help product and service providers
better understand the issues and challenges faced by their
association clients.
Take the course, pass the test, be affiliated with an active CAI Business Partner
member, and you’ll earn the CAI Educated Business Partner distinction. As
an added benefit, you’ll be listed on the CAI website, where clients can see your
commitment to service.
Visit www.caionline.org/bpcourse, e-mail [email protected] or call (888) 224-4321 to learn more.
Advertiser Index
Advertisers
ACCOUNTANTS & BOOKKEEPERS
MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
SECURITY
BRABO & CARLSEN, LLP................................ 13
Associa/DESERT RESORT
ALLIED BARTON............................................. 31
MANAGEMENT................................................ 3
AMS Security................................................... 18
SECURITAS SECURITY
ASPHALT
AMS PAVING................................................... 22
Asphalt MD’s................................................... 17
SERVICES USA, INC........................................ 13
OUTDOOR FURNITURE
PATIO FURNITURE DOCTORS, INC................ 26
NELSON PAVING & SEALING........................ 39
Farley Interlocking Pavers................................. 2
POOL DECK RESURFACING
ATTORNEYS
Sidewalk and paving
CTI OF THE DESERT......................................... 6
Epsten Grinnell & Howell................................ 26
FIORE RACOBS & POWERS........................... 31
ROOFING
GREEN BRYANT & FRENCH, LLP................... 25
GURALNICK & GILLILAND, LLP...................... 38
RELIABLE ROOFING....................................... 38
LAW OFFICE OF PEGGY REDMON............... 12
WESTERN PACIFIC ROOFING.......................... 6
PETERS & FREEDMAN, LLP............................ 36
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Contact the CAI-CV Chapter Office
Phone: (760) 341-0559
[email protected]
BANKS
Union Bank...................................................... 18
Mutual of omaha bank.................................... 37
Seacoast Commerce Bank.............................. 25
Construction
Pacific Coast Constraction.............................. 38
The attorneys and staff at Peters & Freedman, L.L.P., are seasoned professionals in the field of community association law. With experienced
attorneys, paralegals, assessment collection specialists and administrative staff, Peters & Freedman, L.L.P. is committed to providing effective,
innovative and comprehensive legal services to community associations throughout Southern California. As a full service Law Firm, we can help you
with any issue facing your association.
ELECTRIC & WATER
COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT........ 33
As a full service law firm, our services include:
• Governing Document Interpretation
• Governing Document Enforcement
• ADR & IDR
• Contract Negotiation
• Architectural Compliance
• Litigation
• Construction Defect
• Reconstruction
• Legal Compliance
If you have questions regarding any of our legal services or would like to request a free, printed copy
of our latest community association Legal Guide book, please contact us. You may also visit our
website to learn more about our Firm or to download an electronic copy of our current Legal Guide.
36
Quorum June, 2014
• Fiduciary Obligations
• Maintenance & Repair Obligations
• Assessment Recovery
• Post-Judgment Enforcement
• Writs & Appeals
• Board Education
• FHA Certification
• FEHA Compliance
• CC&R Restatement & Amendments
San Diego Area: 760.436.3441
Coachella Valley: 760.773.4463
Orange County: 949.390.2971
www.hoalaw.com
[email protected]
INSURANCE
TIMOTHY CLINE INSURANCE........................ 39
pick the right tools
for your next project.
With community association lending expertise
like ours, you’ll get the job done right.
take that to the bank.
Brendan Concannon
Regional Account Executive
619-961-6346
Toll Free 866-800-4656, ext. 7480
[email protected]
LANDSCAPING
BlueSky Landscape Corp................................. 26
CONSERVE LANDCARE................................. 13
HIGH TECH IRRIGATION, INC.......................... 4
Sunshine Landscape........................................ 33
The Curb Creator.............................................. 6
Vintage Landscape.......................................... 39
mutualofomahabank.com
Member FDIC
Equal Housing Lender
AFN46055_0913
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
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EQUAL HOUSING
LENDER
37
Manager
On The run
DATE: Friday, August 8, 8:30am - 9:30am
TOPIC: Board relations, Leadership*
LOCATION: Palm Desert Country Club Association
DATE: Friday, October 10, 8:30am - 9:30am
TOPICS: Meetings, Meetings, Meetings:
annuals, Hearings, Executive etc.*
LOCATION: Palm Desert Country Club Association
DATE: Tuesday, December 9, 8:30am - 9:30am
TOPICS: insurance
LOCATION: TBD
*Topics subject to change. All managers who attend will receive 1 hour of Continuing Education Credit (C.E.U.)
Morning
Education
PrograM
fOr cOMMuniTy
Managers
RegisteR At CAi-CV offiCe
call (760) 341-0559 or
email [email protected]
GURALNICK & GILLILAND, LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Member of CAI and CACM
78755 Darby Road
Bermuda Dunes
(760) 772-3673
[email protected]
www.thevintageco.com
Legal Services for
Community Associations
• General Counsel
•
Assessment Lien and Foreclosure
• No Cost Collections
• Fees Paid by Delinquent Homeowner
• Detailed Monthly Status Reports
• Title Reports at No Charge to Association
• Construction Defect/Reconstruction
• Mold Claims/Litigation
• Real Estate Dispute/Litigation
Phone: (760) 340-1515 FAX: (760) 568-3053
38
Quorum June, 2014
CoachellaValleyCAI.org
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39
41-905 Boardwalk, A-2
Palm Desert, CA 92211
2014
Corporate
Sponsors
Platinum_______
AMS Paving, Inc
Asphalt MDs
Desert Resort Management
Empire Works
Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC
Farley Interlocking Pavers
Fiore Racobs & Powers
Nelson Paving & Sealing
Pacific Western Bank
Peters & Freedman, LLP
Sign a Rama
Sunshine Landscape
United Paving Co.
Vintage Associates Inc
Western Pacific Roofing
Gold____________
Flood Response
Securitas
Silver___________
1 Stop Pool Pros
Blue Sky Landscape
CBCI Construction
Conserve Landcare
CTI of the Desert
Har Bro Emergency Restoration
Mariposa Landscape
Mutual of Omaha
Prendiville Insurance
Universal Protection Services
Vista Paint Corp
Bronze_________
CAI Bowling Tournament
Summer
of Love
Friday, June
27th
Palm Springs Lanes
CAI-CV Upcoming Events
June
July
CAI-CV Bowling Tournament
July Luncheon Program
Theme:
Summer of Love
When: Friday, June 27th
Registration opens at 4:30 pm
Where: Palm Springs Lanes
Theme:
Reserves and Budgets
When: Friday, July 11th
Registration opens at 11:30 am
Where: Palm Valley Country Club
Painting Unlimited
SBS Lien Services
Seacoast Commerce Bank
ServPro of Palm Desert
Sherwin Williams
Union Bank
Valley Crest Landscape
Join CAI!
The Quorum Committee hopes that you and
your families have a fun and safe summer.
There are many benefits to being a part of our chapter, including
the monthly Quorum magazine. Call (760) 341-0559 today.