The Glen Gazette

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006
The Glen of Pacific Grove Homeowners Association
1 Glen Lake Drive, Pacific Grove, California
831-642-2441
http://theglenofpg.com

TIME…where does it go? A 2 month newsletter again? Yes, and time is the culprit!
The New Year came, and I’m sure we all made the usual resolutions, and then some! I did, of course! And suddenly, as I was just beginning to think seriously about those resolutions, it was February, and all those good intentions began to fade into the background. Now, they are all broken and carefully recorded as wonderful ideas for next January!
And here came February, the love month! Had to be sure all the right people knew how much I loved them. So, little valentine expressions were sent and given to all that mattered. That little gesture reinforced to me how important it is to let those folks know how much I care about them all the time. Everyday is right for those important phone calls to loved ones, or to start on a new resolution, or to do something for myself, because I just don’t know how much time there really is. So because I know for a fact that time does fly…my resolution is to make the most of each day; both for myself and for others. Time…..

NEWSLETTER:
Putting a newsletter together takes much time. In the past, we have always tried to get one out each month. That has not happened this past year. After discussing this at our board meeting, the conclusion is that all board and meeting information is now available on our web site. Therefore, the newsletter will no longer have a deadline time for publication. I will try to get one out every other month, but quarterly at a minimum. Is writing something you

HELLOS AND GOODBYES:
Nancy Budd has completed a long distance move of across the street from #25 to #26! It’s nice to see the lights on again in your corner and we wish you the best in your new spot!
Portia Cornell & Blas Vallejo from Redlands are part-time residents of The Glen as the new owners of #38. Portia is a Senior Math Lecturer at the University of Redlands and has been for 32 years. Blas is a Disc Jockey at clubs, weddings and the internet radio of www.route66radio.us . They were married two years ago at Asilomar. They have two children and seven grandchildren. WELCOME TO THE GLEN!

GARDENING:
Please drop a note in The Glen mailbox if you have a particular gardening or tree trimming request, or for any comments you may wish to leave. Your request will be added to the list.
Identified areas of old and tired plantings are slowly being redone. Currently, the area by the exit gate is getting a fresher look.

At any time, you may make a request for a specific type of plant. The gardeners will decide if it is appropriate and will live well in the requested spot. The board has made a new policy on new plantings; only the standard size we commonly plant and are budgeted for will be considered. If a larger size is desired by the resident, then the resident may pay the difference in cost for the larger plant. Your understanding on this is appreciated.

GlenEtiquette:
(friendly reminders of respectful considerations that promote harmonious living in The Glen)
How should one dispose of Styrofoam peanuts?  Recently, someone apparently put some peanuts into their trash without first placing them in a sealed garbage bag.  You know what happened; peanuts were all along the street from one end to the other.  Before they could be picked up, the winds came up and blew them everywhere.  We will break down into the earth before they do. So, please, place those Styrofoam peanuts into a plastic bag and tie it tightly before placing into the trash. Better yet, recycle them by dropping them off at the UPS store on the corner; they are happy to get them.

A Rule to Review:
Picking up after your dog has been discussed in previous newsletters. Everyone’s attention to the matter is appreciated. Rule #4 under the section of Pets states "Dogs must be on leashes at all times while on common areas." As soon as you leave your front door, you are on common area. Your dog must be on a leash at all times.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
Each household should complete a form. If you have not done this and need a form, you can contact Stephanie in #104 or get one off The Glen web site.
Please drop in The Glen mailbox when completed.

THE GLEN BOOK CLUB:
Submitted by Sharon Axt
"I guess there are never enough books." -- John Steinbeck. Members of the book club of The Glen visited the Steinbeck Museum in Salinas in January to learn more about the author and his life. We then visited The Steinbeck House, birthplace and

Our book group, Beyond McGuffey’s, met Tuesday, February 7^th, to discuss No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Our current reading is The Glass castle by Jeannette Walls, which we will discuss at our next meeting on March 7^th at 7PM at unit #110. Anyone is welcome to come!
For more information, contact Sharon Axt at #13, sharonaxt@comcast.net.

CLASSIFIED:
Something around that you would like to sell? Write out the information to include item description, price, and your phone number and drop it in The Glen mailbox.
 

#78 has removed all the original light fixtures and is offering them free to anyone who may need a replacement. Call Sally or Mike Aboud at 520-299-9029, or email: theabouds@yahoo.com.

GARAGE SALE:
Start cleaning out! The garage sale is coming in early May! Our last one was 2 years ago, so everyone must have some "stuff" you’d like to get rid of. Volunteers are sought to help with signage, advertising, and organization. If you can help, drop a note in the mailbox to Candy. This is a fun community event.

PG Police Citizens Academy
PG Police department is again sponsoring a Citizen Police Academy. Classes are every Tuesday from 6-9PM for 12 weeks. The first session was Tuesday the 21st, but you may still be able to participate. Call Corporal Kathy Hale at 648-3122 if interested, or speak to Wolfgang Haas in #11.

THE BOARD NEWS:
The last board meeting was on Tuesday, February 21^st. The minutes of that meeting are posted on The Glen web site. http://theglenofpg.com.
If you do not have computer access and wish to know more, call The Glen phone line and someone will update you.

Do you need to refresh yourself on rules of The Glen? Would you like of copy of board meeting minutes?
Visit The Glen Web Site for all this information and much more. You can Email or contact a board or committee member via the web site. If you do not use a computer and need information, you may call our management company (MCC) at 408-848-5953, or phone The Glen message line.

THE DOCUMENT REVISION COMMITTEE
By Glen Grossman
Anyone who has closely read our bylaws and CC&Rs knows what a mess they are. Both documents are inherently contradictory and difficult to work with. In Article 6, the Bylaws allow the board to pay itself a salary (section 1). In Article 5, the Bylaws allow the members to approve a salary (section 1.C.4). In Article 5, the Bylaws prohibit the board from receiving a salary (section 8). Similarly, the CC&Rs provide for amending provisions by a majority vote (article 3, section 2) but then state a 75% majority is required to make changes (article 12, section 3). The Bylaws are ineffectual and the CC&Rs, with all the references to the Declarant, are out of date. The Board retained an attorney to redraft both the CC&Rs and the Bylaws. Those drafts were received last Fall. The re-drafted CC&Rs came to more than 70 pages. The re-drafted Bylaws came to 28 pages. The Board referred the attorney’s drafts to the Document Revision

Committee consisting of Wolfgang Haas, Rodger Axt, and myself. The Committee’s chief concern was providing Board members with documents they would be able to work with because board members need to able to use these documents during board meetings. At 73 pages, the CC&Rs were unusable and, similarly, 28 pages for Bylaws was too long.
Civil Code Section 1355.5 allows the Association by simple majority vote to delete references to the Declarant in the CC&Rs. The Committee is recommending to the Board that the existing CC&Rs be amended to delete reference to the Declarant. That will shrink the CC&Rs to a mere 18 pages. With respect to the Bylaws, the Committee is similarly suggesting that the bylaws simply make reference to existing laws and not re-state the law in full in the Bylaws. That will reduce the Bylaws to pages. Copies of most of these documents, the attorney’s drafts as well as the Committee’s tentative drafts, are on the website under "Governing Documents." If the Board agrees with the Committee’s recommendations, copies of the proposed documents will be distributed to all members and a meeting held at which time the membership can vote on the changes.

VOLUNTEERS! Interested in serving on the Board or on a committee? The only requirement is to act in good faith. To act in good faith means to act in a manner you believe to be in the best interests of the Association and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.

LEASHES. It seems like our leashes are getting longer and longer and longer. The City of Pacific Grove prohibits leashes exceeding six feet in length attached to the dog's collar or harness and actually held by a person or made fast to a stationary object. If your dog in on a leash more than six feet in length, the City considers your dog to be running at large. A dog running at large is a violation of Municipal Ordinance 10.04.020. The first violation is an infraction. A second violation within a one-year period is treated as a misdemeanor. Please cut your leashes down to six feet. We do not want to visit you in jail!