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LODGE LOG Blue Lake Springs Homeowners’ Association March 2016
Sunday, March 27, 2016
11:00 am—1:00 pm
Adults: $26.00
Children Ages 9-12: $13.00
Ages 6-8: $6.00
Under 5: Free
Menu:
Eggs Benedict
Roasted red potatoes with herbs
Belgian Waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream
Salad
Baked Salmon with lightly seasoned panko crust and lemon butter
Scrambled Eggs with cheese
Bacon, Smoked sausage
Baked ham with apricot sauce
Parker Rolls
Orange & Cranberry Juices
For reservations please call the business office (209)795-2357
Payment is due at time of reservation. You will be charged the full amount
for cancellations after March 23, 2016, or no shows.
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Our Valentine themed February potluck had 65 attendees. We enjoyed
hot dishes with RED as their theme as well as delicious chocolate & red desserts. A special welcome to guests Bill & Barbara Brown, Paul & Marion Ventre & Darla
Rosenquest.
A big thank you to our potluck callers Judy Boles, Marcy Crawford, Kathy Enea
(Mary Peterson did Kathy's calls) Anne Friborg-Evans, Linda Penney, Michele
Stahlberg & Bev Vasquez. Our kitchen chair was Jim & Ginny Harrington with helpers Ed & Michele Stahlberg & Bill & Barbara Brown.
Thank you to Harriet Johns for checking in our attendees & selling bingo cards. Pauline Kramer sold raffle tickets. Of course John Vasquez amused us by telling
his corny jokes between Bingo games with Harry Tittle pulling the bingo numbers.
The winners of the evening were:
Don Peterson-winner of complimentary desert for 2 at Snowflake Lodge
Tom Schneider-winner of 50/50
Marion Ventre, Doug Nunes, Pete Padelford & Tom Gosswiller were the Bingo
winners
Linda Penney-winner of Blackout Bingo
If you would like to join our monthly potlucks held on the second Wednesday of each month September-May (except December), please contact Maureen
Dinnocenzo 209-795-3226 or Harriet Johns 209-795-0563 to have your name added to our calling list.
Our next Potluck will be Wednesday, March 9 with St. Patrick (GREEN) as
our theme. We hope you will join us & your neighbors for a fun evening.
Maureen
Potluck
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2016 Calendar of Events
Tuesday Evening Bridge Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Bruce Utter 890-7643
Thursday Morning Duplicate Bridge Second Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Bev Vasquez 795-1356
Friday Morning Bridge Every Friday at 9:30 a.m. Bobbie Neely 795-7815 Debbie Kushnir 795-0600
(Please note for all bridge groups,
please call ahead to save a spot)
Potluck Second Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. (September 2015 through May 2016) Maureen Dinnocenzo 795-3226 or
890-3369
Mahjong First and Third Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Leni Salayko 795-7166
Texas Hold’em: Second Thursday at 2:00 p.m. (September 2015 through May 2016) Cathy Fitzpatrick 795-4806
Louise Cooke 795-4657
Easter Brunch
Sunday March 27th
11:00 a.m.
Spring Fling
Saturday May 7th
6 p.m.
If there is any member
who knows of someone
who may need a get well
card or sympathy card,
please call the Sunshine Lady,
Joan Shawver at 209-795-5619.
Hi Neighbors,
There’s a new local online classifieds service.
Watch the promotional video to learn more:
https://vimeo.com/nhudesign/hwy4classifieds_buysell
FB page: www.facebook.com/hwy4classifieds
Website: http://hwy4classifieds.online
Nhu Bergstrom, 213-13
MEMBER TO MEMBER
“The comments and opinions of the authors are purely their own. The Association does not validate the authenticity of the content of the member’s let-ter.”
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President’s Message
Hello Fellow Blue Lake Springs, Members!
In the past ten days or so (at the time of this writing) we saw tempera-
tures reach the 70’s and along with that the feeling that winter conditions
might be over as in recent years. But Mother Nature gave us a nice drop of snow last week
so let’s hope we keep getting the wet stuff for some time to come. We all know our water
concerns are far from over.
It feels like the year is really picking up speed. The “2016 Summer Recreation Handbook”
has just been approved and will be heading to your mail boxes near the end of the month.
My thanks to the many, many people involved to make this happen. The handbook truly is
loaded with lots of fun for you, our members, plus we’ve added some new activities, too. I
hope you take the time to read through it thoroughly. I’m sure there is something for every-
one to enjoy and to make your time in the mountain this summer a memorable one.
Our management team and staff, along with your Board of Directors, are all working hard to
have the facilities in top condition for your enjoyment. The bathroom remodel at Fly-In Lake
is coming along nicely and should be ready well before our busy season begins. Along with
that is a planned redesign and upgrade of the amphitheater area. This should give us the
ability to hold more and various type activities than we have in the past. Both of these large
projects are part of our Reserve account funding plan. The team is doing well working with-
in our budget and we anticipate coming in under the reserved amount and that’s really good
news!
We are also pursuing a real estate purchase that we believe is in the HOA’s best interest.
As this develops we’ll have more details to share. Please check out the article about the
property in this months Lodge Log.
It’s been a few months since we’ve had activity concerning the lawsuit filed against the
Association. In mid-February there was a court hearing that determined a settlement
conference will be held in approximately six months and, if necessary, a trial date in
approximately seven months. We had hoped this could be resolved sooner, but it doesn’t
look like that will happen.
Other ongoing efforts include obtaining a Grant to help fund lake dredging, work to move us
towards going paperless (long term this project can save us up to $12,000 per year in
postage and printing), and many, many members working on our Fire Prevention teams
(property inspections, dead tree removal, improved fire ratings for our subdivision, etc.). I
could go on. Continue next page
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I’ll close by asking you, as a BLS HOA member, to consider becoming a member of the
Board of Directors. As you can see from my comments this month we have so many good
things happening to keep our community one that is highly desired to live in and one that is,
most importantly, an enjoyable place to call home (or our second home). A call for
candidates will go out in March. I’m just giving you a “heads up” with time to think about
volunteering your experience to help Blue Lake Springs remain the gem it is.
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
Walter Winchell
Kevin Andel, President
Blue Lake Springs is Going Paperless
In today’s time of advancing technology coupled with the need to reduce paper waste and the growing
cost to print and mail Association documents, Blue Lake Springs will be moving towards electronic
communications with the membership. What this means is all notification will be sent by email. This
will include the Annual notifications that are sent at the end of each year, the Summer Recreation
book etc.
How to Sign Up
Click on the link below that will take you to the BLS website where you can download and fill out the
authorization form. Save the authorization form and email it back to the Association at
[email protected]. Once we have received your authorization form, we will send you a
confirmation so that you know you are signed up.
Helpful Information
The Association would like to gather some helpful information so that it can continually improve the
amenities that it offers. You will notice that there are a series of questions with the authorization form.
We ask that you please take the time to let us know what amenities you like to use and maybe what
you would like to see added.
CLICK HERE → http://www.blsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paperless-
Agreement-and-Information-From.pdf
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Potential Purchase of Property at Rainy & Meadow
(Adjacent to Fly-In Lake)
A 2.6 acre parcel at the corner of Rainy Drive and Meadow Drive is listed for sale.
Century 21 Real Estate is the listing office. The property was originally listed for
$165,000 and recently reduced to $110,000.
Blue Lake Springs HOA is interested in purchasing the property at a reasonable
price due to its proximity to Fly-In Lake. The Association property borders this
parcel and could be used for future additional amenities that would benefit our
Blue Lake Springs members.
Possible uses:
Baseball Field Frisbee Golf Course aka Disk Golf
Soccer Field Children's Park
Community Garden Hiking Trail
Dog Run Fit Trial System
Enlarge the Lake Entrance
Specific plans have not been developed at this time, but the opportunity to
purchase property directly adjacent to property at Fly-In Lake is limited and may
not be available again. This area will allow the Association to create areas for
family and teen use, water activities, picnic area for birthdays, anniversaries or
other fun parties, as well as other activities not yet identified.
If the property can be purchased at a reasonable price, the “per lot” expense will
be minimal. Adding property to our Association holdings can increase and
enhance current amenities for our membership while also maintaining, or adding
to, our individual property values.
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Texas Hold’em Poker
Blue Lake Springs Homeowners
and their guests.
All levels are welcome.
Age: Adult
Check in 1:30 PM
Location: Snowflake Lodge
Date: 2nd Thursday for the Month
Beginners Class: 12:30 pm
Come join the fun!
Reservations required for seating, email
Louise Cooke, [email protected]
WELCOME NEW OWNERS
Wendy & Moses Ovalle Unit 01
Gene & Karen Clevenger Unit 08
Christa Pedersen Unit 08
Shannon Carlin Unit 09
Brian & Parisa Nunez Unit 13
Job Faire Saturday, April 9, 2016
10 a.m. - noon
Blue Lake Springs
Homeowners’ Association
335 Blue Lake Springs Drive
Arnold
Join our energetic team and work at the
premier summer recreation facility in
Calaveras County. We are hiring Assistant
Rec Director, lifeguards, recreation office,
summer aide and snack bar staff.
Questions?
Call 559-5558, ask for the Rec Director or
email: [email protected]
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VOLUNTEERS IN PREVENTION (VIP)
Some great news regarding where to take your pine
needles this year. Gene Miller is waiting for the delivery
of a large Curtain Burner (CB) which will be handling the
pine needles from here on out. Hope it will be ready to
operate by April 1st but this will depend on when this
equipment is delivered to Gene Miller. This is a
permanent fix for the issue of where to take pine
needles. There may be some days during fire seasons
that CAL FIRE will ask Gene not to use the CB. If there are multiple days in a row, Gene
may have to temporarily stop taking pine needles till CAL FIRE allows him to use the CB
again. Knowing this, it would be wise for all that can to get your yard work done for your
CAL FIRE Inspection date (June 1st). After this time, there very well could be days that
Gene can’t take pine needles. The first of July, Ultra Power will no longer take our material.
Gene chips and hauls to them; they are going solar we hear. So most all yard waste materi-
al will have to be run through the CB after this date; therefore, when CAL FIRE stops Gene
from operating his CB he very well may have to close his yard for the days he is shut off
from using the CB.
We are very close to moving almost all my work over to some great people who have
stepped up to keep our entire Fire Prevention Programs going. Four of these people are
new volunteers in the new Dead BeetleTree program. The rest are those who have been
working in our VIP program for many years. Thank you all.
Dead Beetle Trees: After 2 years of battling with this dead beetle tree issue and the con-
stant changing of the issues dealing with the downed trees, we have found a way to get rid
of these logs on the ground for our HOA members. Many of you would like the Do Wooders
group to come and get your wood. This Group is overwhelmed with logs and can no longer
take anymore orders for logs on your properties. The size of this dead tree issue has grown
to almost 1,300 trees that have died in BLS from the beetle last year. The projection for
2015 was 1,400 for BLS so those predicting this are very close with their predictions. We
still have trees dying at a small rate right now but it is projected that we will lose up to 3,000
trees in BLS in 2016. Below this article you will find instructions on what to do when you are
notified or find dead beetle trees on your property. We have formed a special in-
spection unit of 5 people who will be driving around our BLS Subdivision and reporting dead
trees. These reports will be turned in and entered into a computer program which will gener-
ate a letter to those reported with dead trees. These 5 people will turn in reports periodically
on your progress with the removal of these trees and that will be entered into our computer
program. We will follow your progress on the removal of these dead trees and the brush
from them. Continue next page
9
Our Firewise program is a big success in the Ebbetts Pass community. We now have
nine (9) Firewise Designated Subdivisions. I think we have five more to go for this year. This
is part of the things we are doing to get our Insurance companies back in this area writing
policies.
I am still waiting for our Cequa to be approved to start our Shaded Fire Fuel Break
project. I am very frustrated that we do not have equipment and crews working right now. All
the Contractors for this work are ready to go. I hope soon you will see and hear work going
on.
Your CAL FIRE BLS VIP Coordinator
Blue Lakes Springs suggested Procedure for
Removal of Dead Trees from your Property in BLS
1. First call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. Tell them you have dead trees that you would
like ACRT (PG&E contractor for identifying trees they will cut down) to look at and
see if they qualify to be taken down by PG&E contractor. These trees will be
taken down at no cost to you and they have been chipping the branches from the
trees into their truck but they don’t have to. If they don’t, you are responsible to
remove the branches and debris caused by cutting down the trees and to remove
the logs they will leave. ACRT will send you paper work to sign if you have eligible
trees to be cut down by PG&E. Please make a note in the comment section of
this agreement or send a note with it that “you want your trees cut down in as long
a length as possible, where it can safely be done. Please do not cut these
long logs into short lengths when on the ground.” We need this help from
the PG&E tree fallers to get these logs off your property and to the source we
have to take them to.
2. If you have dead trees that do not get marked by PG&E to be taken down, you
can call the private tree fallers from the list that came with this letter to bid the cut-
ting down of these tree(s) and to remove the branches and logs including the
PG&E logs. These companies are booked out quite far sometimes and it takes a
while for them to answer your phone call or e-mail. I suggest you use the e-mail
process where you can, it seems to work better.
Continue next page
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LOGS – All dead trees must be cut down and the logs and brush from the trees
removed from your property as quickly as possible. Logs you want to split and
turn into fire wood must be stacked according to CAL FIRE PRC4291 Rules on
your property.
Some of the companies providing this service listed in this letter have agreement’s
with chipping plants to bring logs; the dimensions vary. The lumber mill we can take
logs to lets us do so now and then. The amount paid for these logs only pay’s the
cost for the trucking of them to the Plants. It will cost you, the home owner, money to
have all the Logs on your property removed. Each property will be looked at and a
price given to the owner to remove the logs and any remaining trees to be taken
down. Please let us know by e-mail at [email protected] when you have hired a
company to remove these logs and debris and the name of the company you hired.
Please give your Unit and Lot number when sending this e-mail.
As far as we know, below are two companies that provide this complete Service. Proper Pruning Service, [email protected] - 209-728-9494 (Chris Rinauro) A-1 Management, [email protected] – 209-736-6786 (Ron & Karla Nichols)
There are some more companies that might do all the work on the list enclosed. All these service companies given you with this notice are to help you find a way to properly take care of your dead tree(s). If you find another way to accomplish this work that is fine but it must be done close to a time frame the service companies we have mentioned above could do it for you.
TREE REMOVAL CONTRACTORS
Service Provider Representative E-mail Phone Number
A-1 Management Ron & Karla Nichols [email protected] 209-736-6786
Proper Pruning Service Chris Rinauro [email protected] 209-728-9494
Scott Ball Scott Ball 209-795-1077
The Tree Whisper Brian Gunert 209-795-7332
Happy Easter
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Snowflake Lodge Restaurant is open year round Friday and Saturday nights, as well
as Sunday nights in the summer to members and their guests. It is a full service
restaurant serving an extensive, ever evolving menu featuring the finest food on the
mountain prepared by Chef Marc Kirby and his talented team. With a full service
dining menu, and a more casual Lounge menu that requires no reservation, you are
sure to find your new favorite! Although alcohol is not served, you are welcome to
bring your own wine with no corkage fee. Snowflake Lodge always offers
complimentary soft drinks. We hope to see you in the restaurant soon!
For Dinner reservations please call 209-795-2357. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space
allows.
SNOWFLAKE LODGE
HOURS:
FRIDAY/ SATURDAY 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
(year round)
Sunday’s beginning July 3rd to
Aug. 14th
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Administration
General Manager,
Tony Abila
Assistant General Manager,
Marsha Hampton
Snowflake Lodge Restaurant
Lodge Operations Manager,
Amber Meyer
Snowflake Lodge Chef,
Marc Kirby
Facilities
Facilities Manager, Mark Owens
Summer Recreation
Summer Recreation Director,
Judith Anderson
Security
Vernon Nicholson
The Lodge Log is published by the Blue Lake Springs Homeowners’ Association in accordance with the By-Laws of
the Association. Manager: Tony Abila Production: Blue Lake Springs HOA Staff
Blue Lake Springs Homeowners’ Association
Office Hours
Tuesday-Saturday ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Office Phone: (209) 795-2357 ~ Fax: (209) 795-4438
Email: [email protected]
Post Office Box 712, Arnold, CA 95223
Web Site: www.blsha.com
Snowflake Lodge Restaurant
Friday and Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Please Call for Reservation (209) 795-2357
Summer Recreation (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Recreation Office Phone (209) 795-4009
Email: [email protected]
Board of Directors Meetings
Third Saturday, 9:00 a.m.
Your Association welcomes letters from members and well
publish them in the Lodge Log on a space available basis.
If necessary they will be edited for style and shortened to
200 words. Letters will not be returned to author. Formal
policy is on file at the Association office. Members should
request a copy of the policy If they are considering submit-
Board of Directors
President, Kevin Andel Vice President, Michele Stahlberg Treasurer, Mike McAtee Secretary, Linda Penney Director, Jimmy Cooke Director, Christine Gosswiller Director, Robert Podesta
Blue Lake Springs Mutual Water Company
Board Meetings: Second Saturday, 9 a.m.
Office Phone: 209-795-7025 Emergency: 209-795-7030
Post Office Box 6015, Arnold , 95223
Office is located next to the Arnold Post
Office at 1011 Blagen Road
