NEIGHBORS - hiddenbrookeonline.org

NEIGHBORS
Published By
HIDDENBROOKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
www.HiddenbrookeOnline.org
CC&Rs: HOW TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE
. . . and Keep Your Neighbors Happy
by Hiddenbrooke Architectural Review Committee (HARC)
HARC@HiddenbrookeOnline.org
1. Read the Hiddenbrooke Design Guidelines – www.HiddenbrookeOnline.org
2. Submit your plans for approval BEFORE starting work. Landscape plans can
be delivered to the Triad office, 1095 Hiddenbrooke Parkway (next to the swimming
pool) or mailed to HPOA/HARC, 8223 Bennington Court PMB #253, Vallejo, CA
94591. Allow 30 days for response.
The overall concept at Hiddenbrooke is to complement the natural beauty and awaken an
appreciation of the secluded valley by all residents and visitors. Our landscape goals are
to achieve a memorable image and identity at Hiddenbrooke.
The majority of complaints received by the Hiddenbrooke Architectural Review Committee
could be avoided if owners had gotten their plans approved and followed the CC&RS and
Design guidelines. Some things to consider when designing your plans:
• Trees -- Do not remove City trees or heritage trees without City approval and keep
the 30” basis around the trees free of lawn, shrubs, weeds and flowers. When planting, select trees carefully considering their size at maturity and views from other
homes. Redwood trees, Palm trees and banana trees are not allowed.
• Drainage --All drainage should be designed to lead to the street (cutting through a
City curb requires a permit from the City of Vallejo).
• Rock -- Should be kept at a minimum and used only to enhance the landscaping,
rather than replace the landscaping.
• Bark -- Please use only approved types – no painted Ruby Red Bark, for example.
Also, be aware that bark needs to be replenished every other year or so, or when it’s
starting to look sparse and you can see the dirt below.
• Hardscape should be kept away from property lines, maintaining mandated set
backs and shouldn’t cover more than 50% of the yard. Do not use hardscape or
retaining walls over the City easement (probably the first six feet of front yard) without City approval.
• Lighting should enhance your landscaping and not shine into your Neighbors’
properties.
• Mailboxes that are replaced need to blend with the surrounding boxes.
• Religious objects and sheds should be screened from the street and golf course.
• Fence Stain for wood and paint for ornamental iron should be in muted blended
colors. Select semi-transparent stains for wood fences which blend with the surrounding natural beauty. Avoid bright colors like Redwood and all paint or solid color
stains. HARC will soon be publishing some guidelines in this area.
•
HARC Approval Letters and copies of permits from the City of Vallejo should be
kept and given to future buyers.
Volume 6, Issue 1
December/January 07
Inside this issue:
HCA President’s Message
HPOA President’s Message
2
3
What Makes Hiddenbrooke
4
HBGC Managers Message
5
Special Thanks
6
Bang for Your Buck
A Tournament Summary
6
7
HCA Membership App.
7
Festival of Lights
8
HB Golf Tournaments
Park & School Update
Recent Home Sales
HB Fire Station Update
Tot Lot Dedication
Clubs in Hiddenbrooke
Classified Ads
Over The Back Fence
8
9
9
10
10
11
12
12
Important Phone Numbers
13
Important Dates
14
NEIGHBORS
Page 2
HIDDENBROOKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By Paul Norberg, HCA President, pnorberg@sbcglobal.net
The holiday season is here and Hiddenbrooke homes will be decorated with twinkling lights and happy reindeer. The
Hiddenbrooke Community Association (HCA) is sponsoring a community wide Festival of Lights and a special Luminaria
Lighting on Bennington Drive. We are looking forward to seeing all the beautiful decorations. More details are on page 8.
Festival of Lights judging will be done on Sunday December 17th and the Luminaria Lighting will be on December 23rd.
Ollie Becker, General Manager of the Hiddenbrooke Golf Club attended our November HCA board meeting and gave us an
update on their planed improvements. He indicated they want to work with the residents to make the club a true centerpiece for the community. The recent Halloween party was a good example of what to expect in the future. It was well
received and attended by over 200 residents. Please watch Hiddenbrooke News and the A frame sign at the Welcome
Center for future events. Another project in the planning stage is the construction of 30 to 40 condominium units near the
club house to make Hiddenbrooke a destination resort for golfers.
I would like to thank the many residents who took the time to attend the Vallejo City Council meeting on November 7 when
the fire study was presented. Thanks also to Jim Libien for organizing our response to the fire study. Our presence at the
meeting resulted in the Mayor directing the City Manager to work with us to find a solution to improve emergency services
in Hiddenbrooke.
Please watch your mail for an opinion survey that the City of Vallejo will be conducting in January on the maintenance of
the new park that will be constructed in the Orchards next year. The Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) does not
have sufficient funds to maintain existing parks in Vallejo and all new parks are being maintained by a combination of funds
from GVRD and neighborhood landscape maintenance districts. The Hiddenbrooke Landscape Maintenance District
(HMD) currently maintains the landscape on public land in Hiddenbrooke and provides funds to staff the Welcome Center.
Each home in Hiddenbrooke pays a $559 annual tax to the HMD.
You may have noticed the new slurry seal that was applied to Hiddenbrooke Parkway and the streets in the Phase I area of
Hiddenbrooke. The slurry seal was required by the City of Vallejo and the cost was paid by Triad Communities as part of
their responsibility as the master developer of Hiddenbrooke.
Have you seen the renovation work that is currently underway in downtown Vallejo on the Empress Theater? Diana Lang
and Tess Coyne from the Empress Theater Board gave the HCA directors a preview of what the renovated theater will be
like and the many events that will be held during the grand opening in June 2007. The 500 seat theater will become the
home for the Vallejo Symphony and will be available for live performances and movies. If you would like to get involved in
the theater please call Diana Lang at 707-704-8628 or send her an email at Diana@MusticoRealty.com.
The Solano County Board of Education recently revoked the approval of the Hiddenbrooke Charter School. This was a big
disappointment to the committee members who worked very hard to get it approved. They are now reviewing their options
to see how best to go forward. Meanwhile, plans for the Hiddenbrooke public school are on target with a planned opening
in the fall of 2007. The new school will be located at the rear of the Orchards development.
Have you paid your dues for membership in the Hiddenbrooke Community Association? For the 7/1/06 to 6/30/07 year, the
cost is only $20 and your membership supports the many activities to improve our life here in Hiddenbrooke. It is sad to
note that out of 1,000 residences only 100 have joined the HCA
this year. Those who volunteer their time so generously need
to know that the community is behind their efforts. Membership
2006-2007 HCA Board of Directors
applications may be downloaded from our web site
www.hiddenbrookeonline.org, and you can drop off your $20
President
Paul Norberg
552-5145
check at the Welcome Center.
Vice President Richard Tirrell
649-8224
Hiddenbrooke — Where families thrive, and
friendships & memories are made!
Secretary
Treasurer
Director
Director
Director
Jo Kamanu
Valinda Gillis
Jim Libien
Kevin Elliott
Fred Warren
554-0205
644-4645
554-0226
557-9340
552-7261
December / January 07
Page 3
HIDDENBROOKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By Joyce Estes, HPOA President, estesj@pacbell.net
HPOA Board at the October Board Meeting assessed monthly fines of $50 to six owners and gave the 7th owner a 30 day
extension to correct their violation or be automatically assessed a fine. The Board would prefer not to assess fines, but after
two written notices and no response on how and when the violation will be corrected, the fine is the next step to bringing a
home into compliance. Fines which are ignored can ultimately go to small claims court or collection and could affect the
owner’s future credit rating. The Board has agreed to move the December meeting to the 7th to accommodate Holiday
plans.
Past Due statements were mailed out on October 23rd and again in November. If you haven’t paid your annual mandatory
HPOA assessment of $48 per lot, you can call Collins Management for an updated statement. For each past due statement
that Collins prepares, they charge HPOA $2, which is passed on to the late paying owner. When ownership changes or
your mailing address changes, you need to notify Collins Management so future billings go to the correct person/address.
There is now a form on the web site which you can use for this purpose.
Nominating Committee — Pricilla Silvey will again be chairing our
nominating committee. Please call her at 643-0995 if you want to get
involved on our Board or HARC Committee.
Verification Committee — I will be appointing residents to a new
CC&R Verification Committee, which responds to all CC&R complaints by verifying the violation. Committee members will be asked to
participate in at least two or three verifications each year and discuss
their findings with the committee. If you would like to work on this
committee please let me know.
CC&R Violation Report — Since the last newsletter, HARC has sent
10 Courtesy Notices, 15 Final Notices, made several telephone calls
to owners and forwarded 11 violations to the HPOA Board for a fine
assessment. In the last four months, HARC has followed up on over
50 violations of which about 26 are now in compliance and the
balance are still being followed. The majority of complaints are about
the lack of regular landscape maintenance, out of control weeds, or
boats and trailers. Six letters asked owners to remove rocks which
never received HARC approval and several letters required the
removal of trailers or boats being stored on driveways. We want to
thank those of you who responded to the notices by taking immediate
action to correct the violation.
2006 -2007
HPOA Board of Directors
www.HiddenbrookeOnline.org
HPOA@Hiddenbrookeonline.Org
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director
Director
Director
Joyce Estes
Bob Paedon
Fred Self
Pamela Hargrove
John Jackson
David Elias
Cesar Alegria
647-7053
648-2113
647-1110
552-4435
642-2598
553-8911
552-2002
Financial Management
Collins Management — 510 262-1795
Eve Franklin, Association Manager
Eve@collins-mgmt.com
HPOA, Inc.
8223 Bennington Court, PMB #253
Vallejo, CA 94591
HARC Permit Fees for landscaping and custom lot approvals will begin effective January 1, 2007. The fees are to offset
the costs to approve the plans. The fee for custom home plans is $150 and is due at the Preliminary Architectural Submittal. The fee for approval of a landscape plan is $50 and is due with the Application. HARC, at their discretion, may waive
the fee for small landscape issues by returning the check to the homeowner. Application forms can be downloaded from
our web site.
Vacant Lots & Weeds—The City of Vallejo municipal code requires that all lots be kept free of weeds. Vallejo Code Enforcement/Fire Division has agreed to send notices to the custom lots which are in violation. If lots are not cleared, they
have procedures for mowing the lots and billing the owners. The City standard is that the lots are mowed to 2 inches. And
did you know that owners are responsible for weeds etc. to the middle of the street?
CC&R Complaints should be sent to HARC@HiddenbrookeOnline.org with a street address, description and picture of the
— problem and your name, address and phone number. Complaints can also be mailed to HPOA/HARC at 8223 Bennington Court,
PBM #253, Vallejo, CA 94591. Complaints about a home in the Village, Villas, Reflections or Summit should FIRST be submitted
to their respective HOA. Complaints received via email will be acknowledged via email. Unidentified complaints and complaints
without a picture will not be considered.
Working for CC&R Compliance—
NEIGHBORS
Page 4
WHAT MAKES HIDDENBROOKE SO SPECIAL?
Kevin Elliott
What is it about this place? If I had a nickel
for every time I've wondered about a place and what makes
it special, I could probably make a few months mortgage
payments. When it comes to Hiddenbrooke, though, it is a
pretty simple equation. So simple, that it's easy to overlook.
But don't overlook it, or you'll miss something extraordinary.
What is it about Hiddenbrooke? It's a great place to live and
there are any number of things that you could point to and
say "it's that," like the views or the walking paths or the golf
course or the wild life. Those are all great things but they're
only the surface. But it’s more than just that. It's as simple as
the person standing next to you. In fact, it is the person
standing next to you. Or, better said, it's the person living
next to you. What makes this community so special is the
people.
Our commercial plaza is special because it's ours. More
than a dozen of your neighbors own and work in the businesses up there. One of them, Eddie Nino, built the place.
Eddie took the risk and built a commercial plaza that we can
all be proud to live near. Eddie's brother Tony Nino is the
owner and general manager of Angelo's Restaurant and
more than half a dozen of his employees live right here in
Hiddenbrooke. Another neighbor, Sasha Jain, is the co-
owner and operator of J&O's Trading Company. J&O's is an
extraordinary place to shop for the essentials as well as the
upscale extras that make our lives a little better in Hiddenbrooke. Café Eunica is owned and operated by residents
Dorothy and Eugene Casa and together with their family,
they're creating a special place to relax or stop in for a little
pick-me-up in the morning or afternoon. Owen & Eva Marie
Viola and O’Hara Viola-La Frades live in Reflections and
own and run Postal Links & More, a convenient place to mail
Christmas packages or pick up your mail.
What difference does any of this make? Let me tell you, it
makes a big difference. These neighbors of ours are doing
their very best to help make Hiddenbrooke a great place to
live. They are invested in Hiddenbrooke, not just financially
because they have businesses here, but emotionally because they live here. It is easy to overlook those kinds of
contributions and take them for granted but we shouldn't. We
need to be grateful for everything that makes Hiddenbrooke
a better place to live.
So shop locally and tell Sasha how much you appreciate a
quality convenient place to buy groceries, gourmet foods,
(Continued on page 11)
Get Off Your Knees!
Stop Bending & Stretching!
Treat yourself to
convenient and easy to
use PULL-OUT
SHELVES.
Built to fit your existing
cabinets. Kitchen, pantry,
bath, linen closet, office,
VCR and CD cabinets.
THE PULL-OUT
SHELF COMPANY
Call for a Free In-Home Estimate!
510-635-3348
6/7 06
December / January 07
Page 5
Golf Specials,
Upcoming Events & More at
HIDDENBROOKE
PRO SHOP HOLIDAY SALE
Submit this ad to the Hiddenbrooke Pro Shop to receive:
20% off one merchandise item*
30% off two merchandise items*
40% off three merchandise items*
* Excludes golf clubs
AVOID THOSE CROWDED MALLS
Purchase gift certificates in the Pro Shop and simplify your
holiday shopping. Give your family, friends and co-workers
Hiddenbrooke gift certificates, the perfect gift this holiday
season. Gift certificates are valid towards rounds of golf
and Pro Shop merchandise. Stop by the Pro Shop or call
558-1140 to purchase your gift certificates.
BOOK YOUR 2007 TOURNAMENT TODAY
Call Alisa Byram at 558-0330 ext. 206 or email
abyram@kempersports.com today!
WINTER WONDERLAND
HOLIDAY PARTY
Sunday, December 17 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
at the Hiddenbrooke Clubhouse
Afternoon Includes:
Brunch Buffet 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Special Appearance by Santa Claus 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Kids’ Activities: Decorating ornaments, caramel apples and a
ginger bread house
$24.95 per adult
$7 per child (10 years & younger)
Children 3 & younger dine with our compliments.
(Prices exclude tax & gratuity)
Reservations required. Please have your credit card ready
when you RSVP: 558-0330 x224
Deadline to RSVP is noon on Monday, Dec. 11
HIDDENBROOKE GOLF CLUB
GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE
By Ollie Becker, Hiddenbrooke
Golf Club General Manager
The past few months have been very
busy at the golf course and clubhouse.
The Hiddenbrooke Halloween Party on
Fri, Oct. 27 at the clubhouse was a
huge success.
toddler costume contest category and
drove off with a toy car donated by
Karina Autz of Enfants Du Monde.
The Hiddenbrooke Elementary School
Committee also sold raffle tickets to
raise money for the new school during
this event. Don’t miss our next event,
the Winter Wonderland Holiday Party
Thank you to the two hundred residents on Sun, Dec 17 at the clubhouse! See
who attended to enjoy the dinner buffet, our ad on page 5 for more information.
DJ entertainment and the kids’ activiHelp us welcome our new Hiddenties.
brooke Golf Club staff members:
Congratulations to Ken & Wendy Duffy Alberto Retamar – Executive Chef:
dressed as Fred & Wilma Flintstone,
Chef Alberto is a two time culinary
Geoffrey and Shirlee Albrecht as a lum- graduate from the New York Dietetic
ber jack and Christmas pine tree and
School and New York Food & Hotel
Aidan Richards dressed as Jack Spar- Management School where he trained
row from Pirates of Caribbean. These
using French techniques. He has 17
costume winners received Target gift
years culinary arts experience and is an
certificates courtesy of Hiddenbrooke
active member of the American CuliGolf Club. Lily, the lady bug, won the
nary Federation.
Wendy Rose – Director of Sales:
Wendy joins us from Elaine Bell Catering and other exclusive catering companies. Call Wendy at 558-1153 to book
your next corporate meeting or other
special events at Hiddenbrooke.
Shannon Tamplin – Wedding Sales
Manager: Shannon has 15 years experience in the restaurant field. Give
Shannon a call at 558-0330 ext 224 to
schedule your wedding reception, rehearsal dinner or anniversary party.
Thomas Espinoza – F&B Service
Manager: Thomas has over 20 years of
Food & Beverage experience and
comes to us from the Villagio Spa &
Inn. He will be responsible for all front of
the house services.
Alisa Byram – Tournament Sales Manager: Alisa joins us from American Golf
(Continued on page 6)
NEIGHBORS
Page 6
SPECIAL THANKS TO
PLAZA MERCHANTS
By Kevin Elliott
Two local merchants went above and beyond the call of duty
to help make the recent opening of our new Hiddenbrooke
tot park such a great success.
J&O's Trading Company and Café Eunica stepped up and
answered the request from the park committee for a little
extra help. J&O's donated the ice to keep water and drinks
cold and proprietor, Sasha Jain, loaned the committee his
truck to help move equipment and supplies to and from the
event. Dorothy and Eugene Casa donated the coffee and
coffee service to the event providing hundreds of cups of the
delicious stuff!
Please join the park committee and all of Hiddenbrooke in
showing our thanks to these local merchants and neighbors.
In fact, stop in to the café and grab a coffee or a cocoa on
your way over to J&O's and let them both know that you appreciate their community spirit and support!
MANAGERS MESSAGE (Continued from page 5)
where she was the Tournament Sales Manager at Franklin
Canyon Golf Course then Events Coordinator for the Northwest Regional Office. She booked tournaments for all 10
public American Golf courses. Contact Alisa at 558-0330 ext
206 to book your golf tournament.
Our golf course maintenance crew has been very busy
these past few months as well. Improvements to the golf
course include reshaping the driving range, drainage work
on holes # 1, 2 & 9, tree work on # 13 & 16 and widening the
black tee on # 9. We enhanced the waterfall on #17 as well
as rebuilt the white tee.
The major work occurred on Hole #2. We regraded and sodded the upper fairway, improved the irrigation,
repaired the cart path and created a larger landing area to
make it more receptive for all golfers. Plus, good news for all
homeowners! We placed 11,000 pounds of grass seed on
the hillsides. Next spring the fescue will grow in to mitigate
weed growth.
Look out for more information on our new RoyalTee Card
which will replace the Resident Golf Card. Purchase the
RoyalTee Card and receive promotional rates on golf at Hiddenbrooke, membership to the Northern California Golf Association, a dozen Pro V1 golf balls and RoyalTee Rewards.
The cost of the RoyalTee Card is $75 for Hiddenbrooke
Residents and $139 for non-Hiddenbrooke Residents. More
information will be available mid-December at the Pro Shop
and www.HiddenbrookeGolf.com.
On behalf of the entire Hiddenbrooke Golf Club staff, we
wish you a Happy Holiday Season!
GET A BANG FOR
YOUR BUCK IN
THE GARDEN
By Mike Mikolajcik, Mid City Nursery
Winter is here and this is the time of year where some of
the greatest values are found in the gardening industry, as
well as some of the newest and latest varieties. Fruit tree,
berry and rose producers tend to ship the greatest quantity
of their merchandise during the months of January and
February. These shipments come bare root (plants which
are not containerized) and are sold at a tremendous reduced price. Don’t think that all bare root plants are equal.
Bare root grades differ greatly and the higher the grade the
greater the value. It is assumed that the savings, however,
can be anywhere from 25-50% of their normal containerized cost.
Many late spring and early summer blooming bulbs should
be planted this time of year as well. Planting many bulbs
now will again save you a tremendous amount relative to
the cost of already grown bulb displays. Bulbs to consider
are gladiolus, peonies, dahlias, bearded iris, calla lilies, and
Easter lilies. When planting bulbs one should consider using a quality planting mix and bone meal.
In a society which is predicated so much on here and now
there are opportunities which are easy to teach principles of
patience and harvesting what you sow. One such example
is found by planting sweet pea seeds. This is an almost fool
proof thing and can be done this time of year. Sweet peas
have been a gardener’s favorite since the 1800’s. There
are numerous colors and varieties to choose from. Many
are very fragrant and can be brought in the house and
made into colorful bouquets. The best part is how easy they
are to grow. By planting them now you will ensure yourself
of blossoms in the early spring. Sweet peas should be
planted in sunny to partial sunny areas and work well both
in the ground as well as in pots.
Planting by seed is very inexpensive and will create a lot of
bang for your buck.
Postal Link & More
Holiday shipping, gift boxes, gift items,
cards & more!
Holiday hours thru Dec 23rd: 10-7 M-F, 10-4 Sat
Promotional giveaways to send to your clients this Holiday Season or
at any time — http:sfbayareapromos.logomall.com
Or give us a call for details!
8328 Bennington Court
Hiddenbrooke Plaza
643-5500
10/11 06
December / January 07
Page 7
FORE! A TOURNAMENT SUMMARY
By Geoff Albrecht & John Estes, Golf Committee
Sunday, October 1st was a great day for the 44 golfers
playing in the 6th Annual Hiddenbrooke Community Association’s Charity Golf Tournament. Cool weather prevailed, but
it didn’t stop the golfers from posting some hot scores. The
winning team score in the scramble format was a 63 (nine
under par), posted by the team of John Estes, Pam
Hargrove, Chris Brittle and Lito Magbitang.
businesses and individuals donated funds as golf hole
sponsors, and generous Hiddenbrooke residents also
donated items for the raffle drawing, which were awarded at
the dinner after the golf tournament. A special thanks goes
to the Hiddenbrooke Community Association, Triad Communities, LP, and Kemper Sports for their generous support of
the tournament.
The Hiddenbrooke community teamed up with two charity
organizations to raise funds for their causes; Arnie’s Army
Fights Prostrate Cancer and Xiana’s Angels, a local charity
for needy children in Vallejo schools, which Hiddenbrooke
residents have supported for several years. Many Vallejo
Paul Names won the pre-tournament putting contest in a
playoff, as three golfers (Jim Hayes, Paul Names and Don
Powers) all “aced” their putts during the preliminary rounds.
The prize was a custom-designed putter, donated by Tim
(Continued on page 11)
HCA MEMBERSHIP — A BARGAIN AT TWICE THE PRICE
$20.00 – A small fee for such a large return when you join or renew your HCA Membership for 2006/2007 fiscal year.
The HCA sponsors our newsletter, Neighbors, and delivers one to every resident in Hiddenbrooke at no cost. HCA volunteers worked to bring you a tot park, which opened in October, as well as another park, a school, and a fire station. HCA
volunteers manage the Welcome Center and serve on the HCA board of directors. HCA also sponsors many social
events throughout the year, such as cocktail parties and the popular Garden Tour. These are just a few benefits of HCA
membership.
To join for the first time, or to renew your existing membership, simply fill our the membership application below and drop it
off with your check at the Welcome Center. To verify if you are a paid member, contact Paul Norberg at 552-5145
Please cut out application and make check payable to “Hiddenbrooke Community Association” and deliver to the Welcome Center
NEIGHBORS
Page 8
HB GOLF TOURNAMENTS
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
By John Estes
By Lynda Gregor
The Hiddenbrooke Community Association is sponsoring a
Festival of Lights to brighten the holiday season. Everyone
is eligible to participate in the holiday decorating event.
Appreciation signs and prizes will be awarded in three
categories: Traditional, Children and Elegant. All homes in
Hiddenbrooke will be reviewed on Sunday December 17
starting at 6 PM. Please have your lights on that evening if
you want your home to be considered. The award winners
will be posted on Hiddenbrooke News on Monday December 18.
New this year is a Luminaria Lighting on Sunday December 23 at 6 PM. A luminaria is a lunch size paper bag filled
with three inches of sand and a small candle or tea light.
We encourage all Hiddenbrooke residents to place luminarias on their sidewalk or driveway approximately 5 feet
apart and to light the candles at 6 PM on the 23rd. The
HCA Festival of Lights committee will provide luminarias to
all the homes on Bennington Drive this year to get the
event started.
If you have any questions about the Festival of Lights or
the Luminaria Lighting please call one of the committee
members: Lynda Gregor 552-1155, Melinda Mares 5576536 or Marsha Jarvis 647-3061.
Complete landscaping: Sod, plants, trees, sprinklers
(drip & auto), rock gardens, ponds, waterfalls, flagstone,
rock walls, concrete work, lights, arbors and complete
clean-up.
Free Estimates
info@vinceslandscaping.com
www.vinceslandscaping.com
Vince Martino
21 Snowdrift Ct.
El Sobrante
Just as a reminder, please renew your NCGA card and also
purchase a Hiddenbrooke Resident’s card to receive the
discounted rates.
So mark these dates!
March 11th
April 22nd
May 20th
June 10th
July 8th
August 19th
September 16th
October 21st
11:00
11:00
11:30
11:30
11:30
11:30
11:30
11:30
For More Info, Contact John Estes at 707-647-7052 or
email at johne142@pacbell.net.
Enfants du Monde
Kids of the World
Homebased Preschool / Child Care
Now open in Hiddenbrooke!
License # 483006560
Tel 707.553.1782
License 425882 insured
Phone 707 747-0545
Some satisfied Hiddenbrooke customers:
Paul & Pat Norberg*
Joe & Carolyn Appenzeller*
John & Joyce Estes*
Don & Connie McGregor*
Hugh & Priscilla Silvey
Ed Skelly
Dennie & Mary Perrelie
The Golf Committee has reserved the following
dates & times for the Residents’ Monthly Golf
Tournaments for 2007. We will continue to
have dinner following the Golf Tournament either at Angelo’s or the Golf Club.
Tournament format will rotate between a Scramble, Two
Best Ball and Individual Handicap.
Tanya Tudor
Don & Rosa Tolbert*
Warren Kofler
Jay & Kathy Martin
Art Hyman
Diane & Mark Oehlke
Jim & Pat Libien
Hiddenbrooke Plaza
Storefront Space
Available
Two Units Available For Lease
1000 or 1800 Sf.
For More Info Contact Sperry Van Ness
650-212-1188
* Featured on Hiddenbrooke Garden Tours
6/7 07
December / January 07
Page 9
PARK & SCHOOL ARE ON THE WAY!
By Jim Libien
We are one step closer to getting the Hiddenbrooke Park and
School open by next September! The environmental mitigation
issue relating to the red-legged frog is believed to have been
resolved allowing the park and school to stay on track for their
projected opening date of September, 2007.
gation application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department for
approval allowing this project to move forward.
The Park committee meets again in early December with Mel
Jordan, Vallejo Unified School District, to finalize the design for
the park and school. Maintenance for the Park and School will
be a shared expense between VUSD, GVRD, and the homeowners through the Hiddenbrooke Maintenance District. The
meeting will be held at 7pm on December 5th in the Triad conference room.
The park and school are slated to open on 18 acres at the end
of Alder Creek Road in the Orchards Development of Hiddenbrooke, which is currently a habitat for the protected red-legged
frog. This could have held up the project indefinitely, however,
the City of Vallejo has agreed to set aside 40 acres of public
land along Columbus Parkway as a new protected habitat. The Construction is slated to start next April by Van Pelt Construction. It’s been a long battle, but we’re getting there!
Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) submitted the miti-
RECENT HOME SALES
Recent Home Sales information is from BAREIS multiple listing service, and is provided by Jo Kamanu, Pembrooke Properties.
Address
2361 Langton Ct.
1129 Songwood
2926 Carlingford
6201 Newhaven Ln.
4269 Andover Dr.
5182 Carisbrooke
Price
$710,000
$875,000
$840,000
$670,000
$594,000
$626,000
8332 Bennington Court
707-642-4600
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DOM (days on mkt)
187
56
92
109
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104
COE (closed escrow)
8/18/06
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4/5 07
NEIGHBORS
Page 10
HIDDENBROOKE FIRE STATION UPDATE
By Jim Libien
On November 7, approximately 50 Hiddenbrooke residents attended the Vallejo
City Council meeting to hear the
discussions on the City Wide Fire Study
and the impact this has on Hiddenbrooke.
The City of Vallejo commissioned Citygate Associates, LLC to analyze several
areas of fire services in Vallejo. This
comprehensive study included an analysis of several issues such as response
times, personnel, equipment and the service needs of Hiddenbrooke.
The results of the study acknowledged
that the fire and emergency medical services at Hiddenbrooke are inadequate
and response time is slow. The challenge
is servicing Hiddenbrooke within the City’s
current fire budget. Based on the low
number of emergency calls here, the City
can justify the limited services it is currently providing. We simply don’t have
enough emergency calls in relation to the
rest of Vallejo to merit a fire station within
the City’s current budget problems.
However, after listening to the report and
several concerned Hiddenbrooke residents, there seems to be a new sense of
urgency from the Mayor and the City
Council to resolve this issue. The City
Council instructed John Thompson, City
Manager, to return to the Council in six
weeks with a new plan to improve the fire
and emergency services at Hiddenbrooke. However, the City of Vallejo may
have a new City Manager very soon and
no action may be completed within this
time frame.
Our appearance at the City Council meeting on November 7 will not be the last.
(Continued on page 12)
TOT LOT DEDICATION A ROUSING SUCCESS
The tot lot was formally dedicated by
Vallejo councilman Tony Pearsall and
The new tot lot at the corner of BenningGVRD Director Mike Palmaffy. Also on
ton and Waterfall Way was dedicated on hand were council members Stephanie
Saturday morning, October 21, 2006.
Gomes and Gary Cloutier and GVRD
Over 70 kids received free sand pails and Director Liat Meitzenheimer.
their parents were treated to coffee and
We would like to thank the Greater Vallejo
snacks courtesy of the HCA.
By Paul Norberg
Recreation District for providing the funds
to build the park.
The Hiddenbrooke Community Association tot lot committee worked countless
hours planning the park with the GVRD
and without their involvement the tot lot
(Continued on page 12)
SNOW WHITE CLEANERS SERVICE
Full Service Dry Cleaning & Laundry Facility
Cleaning & Pressing on the Premises
“Free Pick Up & Delivery
within Hiddenbrooke”
610 San Pablo Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564
Call Gudi or Peter at 510-724-0750
or 707-246-4214 (Cell)
6/7 07
Over two dozen happy clients in Hiddenbrooke
HARC friendly designs
Simple easy to follow plans
Simply Perfect Gardens
Landscape Consultation and Design
Call Alison 707-747-9463
E mail me anytime alison@simplyperfectgardens.com
or just look at
WWW.SimplyPerfectGardens.com
6/7 07
8/9 06
December / January 07
Page 11
CLUBS IN HIDDENBROOKE
The Knitting Circle meets on the second
Tuesday each month from 7-9pm. For
more information, contact Melinda Mares at
mrosemares@earthlink.net or 557-6536, or
Ramona Sampayan at 645-1371.
The Tuesday Golf Club meets weekly to play a morning
round here at Hiddenbrooke. Contact John Estes at
JohnE142@pacbell.net or 647-7052 if you want to join us.
Keep an eye out on HB-News for current tee times, then call
the Pro Shop to sign up.
Stay-at-home Mom? Hiddenbrooke has it’s own informal
Mom’s Club! Join us for Coffee Mornings, Whiney Afternoons, Girl’s Nights Out and Bookclub evenings, plus other
field trips, spontaneous events and outings. Contact Jamie
Clark at Jamielee6@comcast.net for information.
The Hiddenbrooke Garden Club meets on the first Sunday
of each month at members homes. For more information
contact Mimi Glavin, Garden Club Secretary, at
mimiglavin@comcast.net.
Do you have a club or group that meets on a regular basis? Are you
looking for new members? Whether it is a Bookclub, Knitting Circle,
Political Club, Gourmet Food Club, Gardening Club, or just a Friday
Night Dinner Club, I'd like to hear about it! List your club name, contact
and phone number in Neighbors. E-mail your club information to me at
jamielee6@comcast.net
WHY IS HIDDENBROOKE SPECIAL (Continued from page 4)
deli sandwiches, wine and fresh vegetables. Stop in for a
pizza (baked in a wood-fired oven no less!) or for Sunday
brunch at Angelo's and visit with some of your neighbors –
whether they're waiting on you or sitting at the table next to
you! Stop and buy stamps from the Viola’s or grab a coffee
and a pastry at the cafe after your morning walk and tell your
neighbors, the Casas, that you appreciate the investment
they're making to make your community more pleasant and
livable.
What is it about this place? It's the people who make this
place so special, and to whom we owe our thanks and gratitude. So let's all pledge to show a little gratitude and patronize the businesses that our neighbors operate right down the
street. It's a great way to thank the people that make this
community a place that we're all proud to call home.
FORE (Continued from page 7)
Corbett. Speaking of which, Tim himself won the closest to
the pin contest (hole #7) at the Arnie’s Army Fights Prostrate
Cancer par-3.
Additional prizes were awarded for the remaining par-3 holes
for closest to the pin, for the second and third place teams in
the net score contest, and for the team that retained their
“yellow colored ball” for the full 18 holes. (Is that possible at
Hiddenbrooke)?
Keep your calendars open for late September 2007 for the
next Annual tournament! We want to hear from you on how
to improve the tournament. Contact John Estes (647-7052)
or Geoff Albrecht (557-3330) with your ideas.
746-7123
919 West 2nd Street, Benicia
M-F 8:30am - 3:00pm, Sat & Eves by Appointment
Kristine Passalacqua
Allied Member ASID
4/5 07
(American Society of Interior Designers)
NEIGHBORS
Page 12
Classified Ads
Classified Ads: HCA Members: $20; non members $25 for your FOUR line ad. Send your ad to jamielee6@comcast.net by
January 15th for the February/March Issue. Ads may be edited to fit space.
EXPERIENCED, LICENSED THERAPIST with appointments available in
Hiddenbrooke . Special expertise in stress, anxiety and marital problems. Find me at TherapistLocator.net; key in zip code 94591. Pam
Hargrove, RN, MFT (707) 567-2614
GOURMET BY THE BAY Personal Chef Services & Event Catering.
Fine dining in the comfort of your own home. Nutritious & tasty meals prepared to fit your busy schedule. Member of the U.S. Personal Chef Assoc.
Call Shoshana Klein 510-703-8618. Holiday catering available.
COMPUTER REPAIR — Install/Configure Internal & Peripheral Hardware, Replace Damaged Hardware, Build Custom PCs, Install/Configure
Networks, Training for Microsoft & other Software. Hiddenbrooke references available. Call John Idlor, 707-534-1859 or cell 707-342-7793.
PRIVATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM IN HIDDENBROOKE - Now enrolling children 2-5 yrs old. Rich curriculum and foreign languages instruction.
Full-time care or flexible schedules. Call Karina at 553-1782, or e-mail
EnfantsDuMonde@sbcglobal.net. Lic#483006560
LEDGEWOOD CREEK WINERY — Sample award-winning wines in the
beautiful Suisun Valley at Ledgewood Creek Winery. Open daily 11am5pm. Picnic tables. 4589 Abernathy Road, Fairfield. Call (707) 4264424, or visit our Web site at www.ledgewoodcreek.com
PERSONAL CHEF SERVICE — Custom designed meals to meet your
culinary & lifestyle needs at competitive prices. Meals packed in recyclable
containers. Graduate of CA Culinary Academy. Ken: 925-642-7288, or
Ken@GardenFreshChef.com. WWW.GardenFreshChef.com.
FOR SALE: SOFA & LOVESEAT — Sage green sofa & loveseat in
great condition. Down wrapped cushions, simple contemp. design, 2 yrs
old. From Macy's, orig. cost $2200 on sale, asking $1100. If interested,
please call Ellen at 647-2668, or ellenogden@gmail.com for photos.
REMODELING AND BUILDING — Refresh the look for your home interior
and exterior. Kitchen and bath remodel, decks, stone, tile and granite
work, carpentry, electric plumbing. HB resident, familiar with HARC Guidelines, easy commute. Call Sorin, (510) 228-7366. Lic#847400.
FIRE STATION (Continued from page 10)
Your support at these meetings is very important. It shows the
Council that there are a lot of residents in Hiddenbrooke who
deeply care about this issue and that this is just not something
of importance to only a vocal few. Stay tuned for the next City
Council meeting date and come show your support.
TOT LOT DEDICATION (Continued from page 10)
would never have been built. I would like to thank Valinda
Gillis, Bea Horgan, Stephne Elliott, Diane Imlach and Joyce
Estes for their hard work and dedication and to Jim Libien who
is the chair of the park committee.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Social Committee is busy and possibly a progressive
planning several fun events for party this summer. We need
people who would like to volnext year.
unteer their homes for this
First up is a cocktail party on
progressive party. We’re tryth
February 24 . We ‘re offering ing to get three homes within
a special rate for those who
walking distance of each
haven’t attended a HCA party other.
before, so put the date on your
if you’re interested in helping
calendar and watch for the
out with any of these events,
flyer in the next Neighbors.
please contact Charlotte
Also in the planning stages are Krastof, Social Committee
a Cinco de Mayo party in May, chair, at 557-1715.
Abatement & Aversion Systems
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Netting
Spike systems
Gel applications
Sanitation
Roof repairs
Licensed
Bonded
Insured
Senior discounts
Visa/Mastercard
All work Guaranteed
Over The Back Fence
Hole-in-One! Ken Lewis had a hole-inone on the 4th hole at Hiddenbrooke,
295 yard Par 4.
Byrne Conley had a hole-in-one on the
par 3 163 Yard 15th hole. Way to go,
Ken & Bryne!
FREE ESTIMATES
(707) 863-0374
Keep those items coming! If you have a Birth, Adoption, Marriage,
Graduation, Congrats, Hole-in-One, or other happy news to share, please
e-mail Jamie Clark at jamielee6@comcast.net.
6/7 07
December / January 07
Page 13
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
From Our Family to Yours
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
For current loan rates call:
Melinda Mares at 707-557-5936
Considering selling?
Need a current market analysis?
Call: Desiree Conley at 707-749-6387
We have completed many sales in Hiddenbrooke.
References available.
Hiddenbrooke Residents Since 2001
Your
2/3 07
Real Estate Team
It’s A Winning Decision!
Top 1% of Realtors in Solano County
1998-2004
Elvira Ashmun
558-1140
558-0330 x217
558-0330 x208
557-8160
558-1153
Hiddenbrooke Plaza
Angelo’s
J&O Trading Co Market & Deli
Café Eunica
Postal Link & More
Pembrooke Realty
644-5500
552-2012
647-0888
643-5500
334-5047
Triad Communities
HARC/Landscape Plan Questions
557-1184
557-1184
Azevedo Farms (cows out)
552-9967
Welcome Center
558-9697
City of Vallejo Web Site www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/govsite/
Abandoned Vehicles
648-4682
Code Enforcement/litter/weeds
General Information
648-4469
Nimat Shakoor-Grantham
648-4522
Illegal Dumping
648-4469
Weed Abatement (Fire Dept)
648-4565
Police & Fire Emergency
Police & Fire from Cell Phone in Vallejo
Fire – Non-Emergency
Police – Non-Emergency
Neighborhood Watch
Report Speeders, Officer Schroeder
Vanessa Nelson
Realtor
Hiddenbrooke Resident
Since 2000
647-2020
For Award Winning Service
Call Today!
4/5 07
www.ElviraAshmun.com
4/5 07
911
648-5293
648-4526
648-4321
648-5262
649-3569
Hiddenbrooke Maintenance District (HMD)
(broken sprinklers, landscape issues in common areas)
Jeanine Perasso-Kaczmarczyk
553-7219
Emergencies after 6PM/Weekends
648-4315
Humane Society/Animal Control
Lost or Injured Animals
Dead Animals on Street
(Answering machine)
Broker Associate
Free Market Evaluation
Within 24 Hours
Negotiable Commissions
Hiddenbrooke Golf Club
Pro Shop, Tee Times
Hiddenbrooke Grille
Annual Swim/Gym/Tennis Passes
Maintenance
Catering
645-7906
552-3110
552-0221
SBC – Phone Out of Order
Order Phone Books
PGE – Power Outages
Public Works
Street Light Repair
Pot Hole Repair
611
1-800-848-8000
1-800-743-5000
649-5413
648-4556
Vallejo Garbage –Garbage Service
Recycling Center
Curbside Recycling
552-3110
552-3174
644-2413
Water Emergencies
648-4313
HIDDENBROOKE
COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION
Welcome Center
850 Hiddenbrooke Parkway
Vallejo, CA 94591
Residential Customer
HB-News is an email list serve to which 380 residents have
subscribed. They receive the latest information or requests
for information delivered each day to their email box. To join
send an email with your name and Hiddenbrooke address to:
HiddenbrookeNews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
V ISIT H IDDENBROOKE
ON THE W EB AT :
HTTP ://WWW . HIDDENBROOKEONLINE . ORG
HTTP ://WWW . VISITHIDDENBROOKE . COM
HTTP ://WWW . HIDDENBROOKEGOLF . COM
NEIGHBORS DELIVERY INFORMATION:
Neighbors is now mailed by standard mail using Carrier Route
sorting to each residential customer in Hiddenbrooke and by first
class mail to all Display Advertisers and Nonresident owners.
Limited copies are available at the Welcome Center or you can
read it online at www.HiddenbrookeOnline.org.
Publishing Info
The “Neighbors” newsletter is a publication
of the:
Hiddenbrooke
Community Association
Editor-In-Chief:
Jamie Clark, 644-7764
Jamielee6@comcast.net
Managing Editor:
Jo Kamanu, 554-0205
jo.kamanu@gmail.com
Advertising Manager:
Jo Kamanu, 554-0205
jo.kamanu@gmail.com
The Copy Shop, 644-2679
Contributors To This Issue:
Paul Norberg, Joyce Estes, Kevin Elliott,
Ollie Becker, Mike Mikolajacik, Jim Libien,
Geoff Albrecht, Lynda Gregor, Jo Kamanu.
See Mike, Betsey,
and Teri
Gateway Plaza
145 Plaza Drive,
Behind Chevy’s
(707) 642-6639
+
DECEMBER
7
14
Thurs
Thurs
17
Sun
23
25
31
Sun
Mon
Sun
HPOA Board Mtg, 7pm, Golf Club Library
HCA Board Mtg, 7pm, Golf Club Library
HARC Meeting, 6pm, Triad Conference Room
Winter Wonderland Santa Brunch, 11am-3pm, HGC
Festival of Lights Judging, 6pm
Hiddenbrooke Luminaria Lighting, 6pm
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve
JANUARY
Printing provided by:
+
Important Dates
Mark your Calendars!
1
11
18
25
Mon
Thurs
Thurs
Thurs
New Year’s Day
HCA Board Mtg, 7pm, Golf Club Library
HARC Meeting, 6pm, Triad Conference Room
HPOA Board Mtg, 7pm, Golf Club Library
FEBRUARY
14
8
15
22
Wed
Thurs
Thurs
Thurs
Valentine’s Day
HCA Board Mtg, 7pm, Golf Club Library
HARC Meeting, 6pm, Triad Conference Room
HPOA Board Mtg, 7pm, Golf Club Library
+ Mobile Notary Service
UPS, FedEx, DHL, Golden State
+ U.S. Postal Service
+ Mailboxes
+ Xerox Copies
+ Packaging
+ Keys
+ Crating
International Shipping Specialists
Over 15 Years With the Same
Owners!
6/7 07
4/5 07
840 Tuolumne Street