President’s Reports

As published in The View, March 2022:

At the October 2021 Board meeting, your five-member Board, by a unanimous vote, authorized establishing the new Capital Improvement Fund account of $1.5 million. All homeowners need to know why we took this step and the information that led us to this decision.

Your Board’s first concern is to protect Sun City Shadow Hills and every homeowner from future assessments because of major projects that are coming up. The money in the new fund belongs to all of us, and NOT ONE PENNY OF IT HAS BEEN SPENT. It is in the bank in a separate account so that we can keep track of it. All of it will be used for necessary major projects. And let me assure you that the actions your Board took comply with our CC&Rs, Section 4.3.2.

Your Board of Directors did not take this action lightly. SCSH is faced with a very costly Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Flood Channel Project. We first brought this project to your attention via two town hall meetings held in the Montecito Ballroom on July 8 and July 12, 2021. You can view the videos at https://www.scshca.com/cvwd.

The proposal to create the Capital Improvement Fund out of funds already assessed and currently in our operating fund surplus was reviewed and investigated by our Financial Advisory Committee, outside legal counsel, and our independent auditors. After receiving their comments, the Board reviewed all the information and voted on how to proceed.

CVWD Flood Channel Project

After due diligence, the Financial Advisory Committee prepared a Board Action Form  recommending that the Association transfer $1.5 - $2 million from the Operating Fund into a new Capital Improvement Fund. The Board then consulted our outside CPA (Wayne Carlsen), and he advised that the Association could move the funds from the Operating Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund with no tax consequences.

Your Board asked outside legal counsel to advise us about the legality of creating a Capital Improvement Fund from surplus funds already assessed and contained within the operating surplus. Legal counsel advised that such an action complies with our governing documents.

So why did the Board even consider this action? What would the money be used for? Soon we will be forced by CVWD to participate in an extremely costly multi-year rebuilding project here in Sun City Shadow Hills. This is a MANDATORY PROJECT, and we are responsible for the cost of much of what will be done on our property to bring us into compliance with current flood plain standards.

And why do we have to pay? Because Pulte, the SCSH builder/developer, had to agree that a flood control channel would run through the property in order to get approval to build the Sun City Shadow Hills development. So we inherited this, and have no choice. I urge you to watch the Town Hall video if you have not already done so.

Both Sun City Palm Desert and Sun City Shadow Hills are affected by this flood control channel. CVWD has already started construction along Avenue 40 to Adams Street, which you can see. CVWD is paying for that. On our property, CVWD will pay for rebuilding Pond #1 at is at the corner of Jefferson and 40^th Street. But we must pay for all other flood control improvements along that proposed channel.

These improvements are very costly and necessary to protect the Jefferson Street entry and roadway overpass over the North Channel to Phases I and II. We need the $1.5 million Capital Improvement Fund.  Although this is called a CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, it is actually a CAPITAL NECESSITY.

The project starts now with Pond #2, which is on the right as you drive out the Jefferson gate on the north side of the bridge. Pond #2 must be completely removed, and the pipes supplying water to the entire golf course must be rerouted from Pond #1 to Pond #3. Pond #2 will be filled with dirt and covered with sod, and new irrigation lines will be installed. Just the reconstruction at Pond #2 will cost approximately $250,000. This is a capital expense that will be funded from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Additionally, we will need to build a road from Avenue 40 down into the North Channel so that debris removal vehicles can access this area during any flood event. This additional estimated cost is approximately $150,000. We are likely to face these expenses this year.

At a future date, the bridge at the Jefferson Gate will have to be retrofitted at a substantial cost to protect it from being washed out and collapsing during a potential flood event. These costs could well exceed $1 million according to current preliminary estimates, and these costs will also have to be funded from the Capital Improvement Fund if we have enough money in the fund at that time.

Hopefully, all of these necessary expenditures will not require an additional assessment upon homeowners. Facing these significant expenses, your Board decided (in a unanimous vote) that giving the surplus operating funds back to homeowners now was imprudent because this would likely lead to a special assessment upon homeowners in the future.

Please understand that no money in this fund has yet been spent. Nothing from the fund is earmarked to pay for any improvements to Shadows; nothing has been allocated for the completion of any future projects that might involve the five-acre parcel acquired from Pulte, despite what some homeowners have suggested.

As your President, I have always shared straightforward information with you. I know this is a lot of data about a very important topic. We will keep bringing you more information as the longer term planning continues. Please attend Board meetings and listen to the podcasts to stay informed.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

As published in The View, February 2022:

SCSHCA Potpourri (A Mixture of Things)

As you may know, the President’s Report must be prepared almost a month in advance to be published in each month’s View magazine. As a result, some things I write about are predictable; but others are a best guess, as more and more it seems that life is unpredictable. And that is truly the case with the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the end of last year, it looked like the mask mandate for inside activities would run through January 15, but at the time I write this, it has now been extended to February 15. The one thing all our residents can be certain of is that your Board of Directors is monitoring the situation closely; we will continue to act promptly to comply with all requirements while at the same time do our best to keep our facilities and amenities as open as possible. The Board asks for your continued support, understanding, and cooperation as we all attempt to navigate through uncertain and difficult waters.

I have read that the derivation of the name “February” comes from the Roman word “februum,” which means cleansing and purification, part of ancient preparations for the coming of spring. Hopefully we will all experience a cleansing and purification from the menace of COVID-19 as we progress through this year.

By now you probably know that our Annual Meeting will take place on April 5, 2022. At that meeting, three homeowners will be elected as members of the Board of Directors for two-year terms. This year we are fortunate to have six homeowners who have stepped forward and announced their desire to serve. By the time you read this, the campaign will have officially begun on January 24.

The first Candidate Forum was held on January 27, 2022. If you were not able to watch it broadcast live, I encourage you to view the video posted on our official website to get to know all of the candidates. In alphabetical order, they are: Mr. Jerry Conrad, Mr. Terry Coon, Mr. Johnny Goodrum, Ms. Kathy Lindstrom, Mr. Scott Pessin, and Mr. Reginald Powell. It is very important to the HOA that you take the time and make the effort to meet, hear, and evaluate each candidate as the campaign progresses.

As current President, neither I nor our HOA can or will tell you who to vote for. But I will stress that it is of utmost importance that you exercise your right to vote for the candidates you favor. Although only three candidates with the most votes will win Board positions, all the candidates deserve your consideration and appreciation for their willingness to serve. The fact that we have so many stepping forward is a sign of a vibrant and healthy community.

Under our Governing Documents, when three or more positions on the Board are up for election, cumulative voting is in effect. Each household/ownership interest has three votes it can cast. You can give all three votes to one candidate; two votes to one candidate and one to another; or one vote to each of three candidates.

Also, this year the Board has included on the ballot an important proposed change to our Governing Documents which would allow a future Board, where a majority deems it advantageous and appropriate, to enter into contracts for up to five years for the operation of our food services, including Shadows. In most cases, now, the Board is limited to one-year contracts (see Bylaws Section 9.2.2).

In practicality, a one-year contract makes it unlikely that a restaurant operator would have any interest in running our facilities. This is why, since the beginning of our HOA, Shadows and other food services have either been operated and subsidized by the HOA or under annual management contracts with operational subsidies paid by the ownership through monthly assessments.

In order to make any change to our Governing Documents, a vote of the ownership is required. Elections are costly events; they require $25,000 to $30,000 to print, mail, tabulate, and conduct. So it is advantageous and economical to include the proposed change to the Governing Documents on the upcoming ballot so we incur only minimal additional printing costs.

Amending the Bylaws requires the approval of 51% of the ownership interest (see Bylaws Section 14.4.1). Each ownership interest may cast one vote on this proposal. To pass, this requires a “Yes” vote of 1,760 owners. (51% of 3,450 = 1,759.5. Because we have no half ownership interests, 1,760 favorable votes are needed.)

If there are not 1,760 “Yes” votes, the Bylaws provision will remain the same. So it is important for all owners to vote on this proposal. Getting enough owners to participate has proven difficult in the past. But this is your community, and it is important for you to express your views. This will help guide your future Board members in the direction you would like them to go.

A ballot for the director positions and the proposed amendment will be mailed out to your address of record with the HOA on February 12, and you should receive it shortly thereafter. If you do not get your ballot, or if you need a replacement, contact the HOA office as soon as possible.

Please vote and tell your fellow owners to do so as well. If you are unsure or unable to vote for any reason, please consider giving your proxy to another owner.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

As published in The View, January 2022:

By the time you read this, the chestnuts have been roasted on an open fire, Jack Frost has nipped at your nose, and yuletide carols were sung by a choir. New Year’s Eve has ushered in another year of promise, and the sun is starting to rise earlier in the eastern skies. The dark nights of winter are giving way to longer days. The morning sunrise is quickly becoming a sight to behold.

Because I am now in the second half of the second year of my Board service and, like the insurance commercial on TV, I have “learned a thing or two” as your Vice President, I would like to reflect a bit on what has transpired in the last year and a half and discuss the promise the future holds for all of us here at Sun City Shadow Hills.

I’ sure you all will recall the many difficulties presented to each of us individually and to your Board in managing our HOA during the COVID-19 lockdown. Despite the constant changes and adjustments, the volunteer homeowners on the various advisory committees as well as your Board continued to function and to do their best to manage the interests of all homeowners. Your fellow homeowners all deserve thanks for their efforts. Simply stated, this is how our community was designed to and must function if it is going to continue to be the place we want to live, or spend our vacation time.

I am very proud of the effort made by the residents, committees, and contractors of the HOA to keep COVID-19 to a minimum in our community, while still allowing as many of our activities to continue as possible. Unfortunately, we are not completely out of the woods, but we will continue to focus on what is best for the majority. As much as humanly possible, we will do so with good cheer and mutual respect for our individual homeowners and residents, and their rights in accordance with our governing documents.

I want to tell you that, during my Board service, I have concentrated on our financial health. And despite the difficulties of the past year and a half, I am pleased to report that our financial position is sound. Although there was a small increase in the monthly assessment, this was kept to an absolute minimum. As homeowners we should all be proud of our strong financial position and confident in our future fiscal health.

To name a few items, we have completed an update of our advisory committee charters; undertaken a reallocation of our reserve funds; and created a committee to study and advise about the best use of the five-acre parcel in Phase III obtained from Pulte with a view toward potential income opportunities. Should that prove possible, any future income would benefit all homeowners either by reducing HOA assessments or increasing and improving our amenities.

Also, I am pleased to say that, during our next election in April, your Board has included a ballot measure to allow future Boards, where appropriate, to enter into contracts for periods of up to five years. You will recall that our governing documents currently limit most contracts to one year. This has meant that, every year, the financial advisory committee and your Board must spend the time to review and determine whether to re‑approve our service contracts.

In the case of the Shadows Restaurant and other food service outlets, this unfortunately has limited the possibility of leasing out these outlets and their management to independent food service operators. Many have supported such a change to our documents in an effort to reduce our subsidy for Shadows.

The possibility of a longer contract term would also vastly increase the ability of the Board to negotiate more favorable service contracts. A minimum of 1,761 owners will need to approve this ballot measure. Whatever your individual view, I would urge each of you to take the time to educate yourself and vote on this ballot measure. This is your community; and voting is the best way to protect your investment and your future.

Personally, I wish to express my great hopes and wishes for the continued success of the Sun City Shadow Hills Community Association in the coming year. May you all enjoy and celebrate good health.

Contact the author at johnny.goodrum@scshca.com.

As published in The View, December 2021:

I have asked Fera Mostow, our former Vice President and current Secretary, to write this month's letter to the community.

When you read this, Thanksgiving will have just passed and we’ll all be looking toward the various holidays coming up in December. But in the midst of our celebrations, I hope we will all have a chance to take a minute to see how far we’ve come in the past year.

This was a hard year for all of us. The global pandemic took a toll on every one of us in one form or another. For some of us it was the inconvenience of not being able to get the things we need at the grocery or hardware store because the supply chain and distribution network for our desired goods was interrupted so severely. For others, the toll was a more serious one. We saw friends and loved ones become ill and, in some cases, die from this horrible illness.

But as 2022 approaches, it’s time to look forward to a better future. All we have to do is stop and take a look around us. And, although I don’t contend everything here in Sun City Shadow Hills is perfect, I do know this: we live in a beautiful community with wonderful amenities, lots of awesome clubs, fun activities planned by our Lifestyle Department, and great neighbors. We remain one of the safest communities in the Coachella Valley; and thanks to the diligent work of our Finance Advisory Committee and our Board of Directors, our finances are in great shape, with this year’s dues increase less than 1%.

We have people in this community who give their time and expertise by serving on the various advisory committees that help the Board keep this community running as smoothly as it does. And we can’t forget the employees of Troon, Vintage, Allied, and Desert Resort Management who are the backbone of the community. So, in spite of the difficulties of the past year, I still look forward to 2022 with the confidence that our community will remain a place we will all continue to enjoy and appreciate.

So as the year 2021 comes to a close, and we all celebrate our various holidays, I wish everyone a joyous season full of wonderful things, lots of laughs, and much happiness for each and every one of you.

– Fera Mostow

After the election in April of this year, the Board and I knew that there were going to be challenges as we worked to find common ground together. Many people questioned what my first steps were going to be as President of this large community, including the members of our new Board. This was a constructive phase in our Board’s relationships and, during this process, Fera and I have grown cooperatively together. She and I had some opposing viewpoints as many governing bodies experience, but we have been able to bridge these issues to find common ground for the benefit of our community as a whole. I have really enjoyed working with Fera these last few months, and I admire her strong dedication to the well-being of Sun City Shadow Hills.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

As published in The View, November 2021:

Many of you have no doubt heard the quote, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Although its origins and author(s) are in dispute, that quote or some version of it has been variously attributed to many people including P. T. Barnum, who talked about “fooling people.”

In a Homeowner’s Association, it is the job of the elected Board of Directors, like our own – comprised of five of your uncompensated volunteer neighbors – to manage the affairs of the community. Naturally it does not call for “pleasing all of the people all of the time.” What it does require is a lot of time and effort by each director to become familiar with and educate themselves about all the issues which regularly arise.

From there, a vote by all directors is used to decide what is best for the community as a whole, while remaining consistent with the requirements of our Governing Documents, the law, and financial realities. The financial realities of many of the Board’s decisions about budgeting affect homeowners in different ways depending on their personal circumstances, and the Board must always consider this during the budgeting process.

By the time you review this article, the budgeting process which has been taking place during the late summer and early fall will have already been completed and communicated to our fellow homeowners. This is an intensive predictive process involving many considerations and compromises in which the Board gets assistance and takes advice from volunteer committees, paid legal and financial advisors, insurers, our contractors for various services, as well as our management company and its personnel. In addition, the budgeting process is also informed by communications from many homeowners.

I have been on your Board and privileged to function as President for approximately eight months now. I myself am not on Nextdoor, but what goes on there does from time to time come to my attention because others report it to me. Nextdoor seems to be a great vehicle for various matters, especially for information about common problems, services, suppliers, and vendors and for discussion by homeowners. On the contrary, Nextdoor is not a proper place for communicating with the Board or the management of our HOA.

You can find the addresses of the committee chairs, our management, and the officers of the HOA, including all five Directors, in the first few pages of each issue of The View magazine. Cut them out and put them on your bulletin board or next to your computer or phone. When you have something to add or suggest, please reach out by communicating through email or by the official site of scshca.com.

The word is mightier than the sword, and your volunteer neighbors on our committees and the Board, as well as those we contract with to assist us in the management of our city in the sun, will listen and respond. It may not always be what everyone wants or would prefer to hear. But your suggestions will be taken into consideration when planning for the benefit of the community as a whole.

I remind you that my main focus – even before I was a candidate running for our Board – has been to protect the integrity and financial stability of this community for all. The Board and I want to express our gratitude again to the volunteers who have stepped up to work hard for this community. You have shown a great desire and passion to complete the missions you have taken on as well as a beneficial ability to work well with others around you. Thank you very much.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

As published in The View, October 2021:

Change of Seasons as the World Turns

By the time you read this in our October View Magazine, summer in our beautiful community will have passed, at least on the calendar but hopefully on the thermometer as well. Cooler days and nights will be the norm. Our neighbors will be back from their vacations, and our snowbirds will be starting to return. With the holiday season not far off, and “High Season” on the horizon once again, all the activities which make SCSH such a special place should be back and booming.

Fortunately for all of us, the world keeps turning; and your fellow volunteer homeowners who serve as Directors of your Board and staff the many advisory committees have kept working to preserve, protect, maintain, and improve our place in the sun. This all brings me to what I would like to focus on and get all our homeowners to begin to think about. We have many volunteers and important committees that help to keep our HOA dues from rising by working alongside the Board. But most of us are not aware that our Bylaws only provide for three very important “standing committees.”

Article 10 of the Bylaws provides for the Architectural Review Committee – now referred to as the Design Review Committee or DRC for short – which interprets and enforces the requirements of our governing documents respecting the appearance and beauty of our homes and lots. There is also the Covenants Committee that acts as “a jury of your peers’” to assist the Board in the enforcement of other rules and regulations which, in effect, comprise our community’s Municipal Code. Finally, there is a committee which we only see and hear about for a few months each year from October to the time of our Annual Meeting and Election of Directors each April. This is the Nominating Committee, which has the very important task of encouraging homeowners to step forward and run for the open Director positions plus to ensure that our elections are transparent, informative, and free and fair in accordance with the provisions of our Governing Documents and HOA law.

The Nominating Committee currently has the following members: Dan McFarlane, Pete Anderson, Robert Israel, Carolyn Collins, and Linda Strongin Grant. You will be hearing more from this Committee in the weeks and months just ahead. Their duties are specifically set out in Bylaws Section 7.4, but one of those duties is to make “reasonable efforts to recruit at least two (2) candidates for each position on the Board that is to be filled by vote of the Members.” There will be three Director seats to be filled by the three candidates receiving the most votes of homeowners. In accordance with the Governing Documents, because more than two positions will be filled, cumulative voting will be in effect.

Because some of our past Director elections have been uncontested, the Committee will be making efforts to encourage interested candidates to throw their hats in the ring, so to speak. Hopefully, there will be at least six homeowners stepping forward to run. By the way, no Member of the Nominating Committee may be nominated as a candidate for the election to the Board (Section 7.4.3).

If you have an interest in serving your HOA in the important position of Director, or if you know a fellow homeowner whom you would encourage to do so and support, please reach out to them and to the committee or any of its members about your interest, suggested nomination, or questions. The deadline for submitting Nomination Forms – at the time of writing this – has not been set but will likely be before Thanksgiving 2021 because it must be at least four months before the Annual Meeting on April 5, 2022.

So, my fellow homeowners, it is not too early to begin thinking about who you want to see leading our community, setting the tone, and making the important decisions on our Board of Directors.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast296

Below is a synopsis of this episode.

Sadly, one of our family's home caught fire this morning and burned to the point where the city of Indio had to red tag it. Fortunately, they and their dog are all safe and they were able to salvage their car, but everything else they own is gone except for what they were wearing on their backs. So for now they need primarily items for personal hygiene like toothpaste and brushes but let's not go too far down the road for now because it can get overwhelming. Next they need about a week's worth of clothing for him and for her. She has given me permission to give their phone number out. Please be respectful and don't call too late. Let's do what we can to help get them restarted in the rebuilding of their lives.

So this is a good time to give out a reminder to take pictures of some of the items you have in your house and a file of some of the important things you have. Keep the file in a place so you can grab it quickly if you need to get out of your house. The heat dries these houses out very quickly so they are prime for burning.

Take care out there.

As published in The View, September 2021:

I have asked one of our past Board Presidents to give us some thoughts in this edition of The View. I respect Stu Stryker for all the time he put into this community volunteering and keeping up the joy of living here.

We have all heard the old adage, “You can please some of the people all the time … ”. You know how it goes. Nothing has changed here. No matter what decisions a Board makes, some won’t agree. Good Boards make their decisions, popular or not, based on what is good for the health of the entire community, not for a select group. It’s been my experience, having served on other Boards besides in Sun City Shadow Hills, that Boards do not last if they do not make decisions for the betterment of the whole community. Board members are not perfect, they are human. Don’t judge them by one action but by the body of their work, and that takes time.

In the past, when we as a Board would make a decision, a certain group who wanted to run the community would find fault. No matter which way a decision went, this group was against it. If we spent money outright for long-term savings, it wasn’t the right thing to do. If we saved the community money by lowering dues, it wasn’t the right thing to do. It was a no-win scenario with this small but very vocal group. I am hopeful that our current Board doesn’t have to face this type of opposition.

A brief note on lowering dues. It was once mentioned that lowering dues during inflationary times was not the thing to do. When a Board puts together a budget, it must cover all the needs of the community. If it happens to be lower than the previous year, the dues are lower. A Board cannot just arbitrarily raise dues. For the record, inflation during that period was .02%.

As I walk around the community, I am seeing many things that are being fixed, repairs that had not been done properly are being corrected, and in general things are being cleaned up. This tells me our Board is moving in the right direction. We have also had contract disputes that have been resolved. To me, it appears that our Board is being proactive in solving issues. We have had some community events, and I hear there are more to come. These are the things our community needs to be a desirable place for people to live. These are the things that will make us a successful and well-maintained community.

The best improvement over previous years is the fantastic support we get today from our community volunteers – from staffing the clubhouse, to serving on a committee or as a Board member. Our members are a gold mine of experience, and it’s good to see our community still utilizing their talents.

When our Board started, we only had six Advisory Committees. By the time we left, we had doubled that amount. It’s good to see our current Board is continuing that trend. We still have a wealth of untapped knowledge out there, and I thank all our residents, past and present, for their service.

– Stu Stryker

Thank you, Stu Stryker, for all you did here at Sun City Shadow Hills. I also want to thank your wife, Nikki Stryker, for sharing you with this community during your time as a volunteer.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast289

Below is a synopsis of this episode.

1. Holes on the side of your backyard walls: the holes are there to allow water to run out during heavy rain falls. The drains in your yards can handle normal rain but heavier rain levels need a way to leave your yard to avoid flooding. Some residents plug those holes to keep rabbits and other small creatures out, but the holes should be unblocked when heavier rain is predicted.

2. Committee members still needed: There are various positions available. Interest forms can be downloaded from the HOA website or are also available at the HOA office. Just complete the interest form and submit it to Vanessa Ayon, our Assistant General Manager. She will refer the forms to the right committees, depending on your interests. This is a great way to get more involved in your community. Also, don't forget our clubs. We have over 60 of them now and they will be resuming in the coming weeks.

3. Special Guest, Mary Lou Phillips, Tutta Bella Vino Club: The club has returned after working out a deal with the Shadows Restaurant and we are happy to have them back and filling the ballroom. Now over to Mary Lou.

Thank you, John, for encouraging the clubs to use these podcasts to let others know about our clubs. We meet every third Saturday and taste six or seven wines -- two whites and four reds, plus some bubbly to start the evening as you come into the ballroom. The wines are available for purchase by the case at the end of the evening and can be picked up at the Shadows the following Thursday afternoon. We are an educational and wine tasting club with wines available at restaurant pricing. We have three wine distributors and depending on which one is being featured, the distributor will be present to give about a 5-minute overview of each wine we taste. Our monthly event is $25 per person which covers the wines featured plus a small plate of cheese and crackers, fresh fruit and chocolates provided by the Shadows Restaurant.

We usually meet the third Saturday of the month from September to June. Our annual membership is $15 per person. A one-time attendance is allowed without paying the membership fee (returning members are required to pay their membership when they sign up for their first event). Membership forms are available on the Shadow Hills website. Our next event will be on Saturday, September 18th, at 6:30 pm and will feature Dry Creek Wines from Northern California. We normally start our events at 7:00 pm but since we haven't met for over a year and a half, we thought it would be fun to have a 30-minute social time to allow everyone to get reacquainted. Registration forms for our September event will be available on our website on Friday, July 30th, and hard copies will be available that morning at the Montecito Clubhouse across from the Lifestyles desk. Checks for the event, along with the registration form, as well as returning members' annual membership fees, can be dropped off at the Tutta Bella mailbox outside the Montecito Clubhouse billiards room. You may reserve a table for up to 10 people and all names and checks must be submitted along with your registration forms. If you have fewer than ten people, we will assign you to a table with others. It's a great way to meet people. We will receive registration forms until September 11th or until we are sold out. If you have any questions you may email us at TuttaBellaVino@gmail.com. We're looking forward to seeing all of our returning members, as well as lots of new members.

New residents are especially encouraged to get involved with our clubs. Information on all our clubs and how to join is available online but also at the HOA office or at the Lifestyle Desk at the Montecito Clubhouse.

As published in The View, August 2021:

Hello, Sun City Shadow Hills, I want to start by wishing everyone safe travels in these summer months as you, your friends, or others in our community vacation and escape the heat for the time being. We are looking forward to your return before the holiday season, and until then we are still here keeping our community running better than ever.

We are fortunate to have a great staff and Board that continue working alongside many of our Volunteer Advisory Committee members. We also have our contracted service providers who remain on duty to watch over our common interests and operations and to maintain our wonderful community.

We can all agree that the heat seems a bit harsher at times this year than in the past, which causes a natural slowdown of outdoor activities around the community. But we are definitely remaining open for business. The Board is looking at all opportunities for us to enjoy the reopening of our facilities, and we are very excited to share them once again.

This summer has already become one to remember with some of the events that have taken place. The Montecito pool party along with the Fourth of July parade saw a record number of attendees, most of whom have given positive feedback about their experiences.

While we have generally returned to normal, we are still working diligently on our budget and the financial impact from the unanticipated events that occurred just over a year ago. We will continue to do so as we maintain our facilities and plan for our common goal of making each new day better than the previous one. As I say, “the beat goes on.” We hope all of you are staying informed via our website, whether here or away. We wish you safe travels.

The fall season is right around the corner. With most of us looking forward to cooler weather, I am confident that we will be able to hit the ground running as we bring back many beloved events plus some new ones to our community. The new events include the Halloween Spooktacular and the Presidents Cup Golf Tournament, and the Holiday Parade returns to help send us off to another new year here in wonderful Sun City Shadow Hills community.

Here are a few highlights from our Fourth of July Parade:

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast288

Below is a synopsis of this episode.

First, I want to say thank you to all those who stop to give me feedback out in the community. I really appreciate it, especially the positive ones, but I also want to hear the negative ones and we'll try to fix those issues as we go along.

1. Shadows Restaurant - Applications for the Ad Hoc Sub Committee: This has been very important to this community for a very long time. We will be accepting applications from anyone who would like to have a say in the renovation of the restaurant this Wednesday, July 21st, in the Capistrano Room, Montecito Clubhouse, at 1:00 pm We're not saying the renovation is going through. We need to stop losing money, need to make it better, and market it better to the outside community. Interviews will be held the next day, July 22nd, starting at 9:30 am in the La Jolla Room, Santa Rosa Clubhouse. You will receive more information at the 1:00 pm meeting on Wednesday.

Applications will be available online at the SCSH website (scshca.com/committeeinterest). You can fill it out and either give it to our Assistant GM Vanessa prior to the meeting or bring it with you to the meeting and give it to the Food and Beverage Committee Chairperson, Kathy Lindstrom. Kathy and other members of the Food and Beverage Committee will be present for both days.

Kathy has provided a Mission Statement to help define the purpose of the sub committee which reads:

The mission of the Ad Hoc Sub Committee to the SCSH Food and Beverage Committee is to:

1. research and recommend a company to do a feasibility report and strategic plan for the development of a tangible operation of the food services for the community of Sun City Shadow Hills through the Shadows Restaurant;
2. work with a hired team to determine if a new renovation will function and complement the expansion and renovation of the Shadows Restaurant;
3. determine and document key operational elements for efficiency, quality, creativity and customer satisfaction.

The Ad Hoc Committee will be comprised of seven members: one from Food and Beverage, one from Facilities, one from Finance and four additional members. The level of qualifications will be high.

Personally, I'd like to see a lounge with a bar that faces out over the golf course , lake and driving range; an outdoor patio that overlooks all that as well and where we could have dinner with music out on the driving range and maybe some fire pits. We could expand the restaurant and maybe include a pizza oven. There are a lot of things we could do but it will all come down through the Ad Hoc Sub Committee.

2. Dog Parks: You all know I have two dogs and appreciate how important they are in our lives. The dog parks will continue to open at 7 am (not earlier) and close at dusk which according to our Security Director is now about 7:30 or 8:00 pm So when Security shows up, please remember they're doing their job.

I'm amazed that I still see people walking their dogs on the asphalt. If you wouldn't walk barefoot on it, don't have your dog do it either. Please keep the dogs on the grass with this heat.

3. Fourth of July Celebration: It was so inspiring and a great feeling to see everybody out there having a good time. For those of you who missed it, I have to tell you it was really something to see all of those golf carts going down the boulevard in two lanes, with everybody honking and waving to their grandkids on the sidelines. And then to get back and have Pete Anderson handle the flag raising. Pete, you're a rock and an inspiration in this community and we really appreciate what you and the other veterans do for us. Hats off to you, my friend.

4. Upcoming Lifestyles Events: Connie and the Lifestyles Desk have been working so hard to prepare for this year. It usually takes a year of planning to make sure everything comes off just right so this year is a real challenge. We have a Halloween Spooktacular and Parade coming up and a Presidents Cup Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Shadow Hills High School golf team. We'd love to raise $10,000 for that team. They practice their golf here at Sun City Shadow Hills.

This is a good time to look into some of the many clubs we have here at Shadow Hills. Even though many are dark over the summer, it's a good time to consider which ones might fit into your lifestyle. Check the View Magazine to see what clubs we have here. My wife and I went to Let's Meet and Eat last week and there wasn't a square inch empty on the dance floor. We had a great time!

5. Board Meeting on Monday, July 26th, at 2:00 pm We hope you can make it. Comment cards will be available to fill out if you wish to let us know who you are and what you would like to have addressed. We look forward to seeing you there. I'm excited that our new Fitness Director is going to be announced that day, too. I'm looking forward to what she's going to do for us.

6. Advisory Committee Members Needed: if you have some time and expertise in any of the advisory committee areas, they really need your help. This is a great way to get involved and give back to your community.

7. John's Original Board Candidate Statement: When I ran as a candidate, I wrote a statement that I got grief for from some and also some praise from others for being specific. I wrote, "I want to be a Board member for the good of the people of this community, not for myself. Plain and simple." I live that every day. I'm here for you. I give you my time and my expertise whenever I can. What I don't know I will find out. We have a great team here at Sun City Shadow Hills and I need you all to support them. They do everything in their power to make this a better place to live.

Thank you all for your time. I appreciate it and I'll see you out in the field.

Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast287

Below is a synopsis of this episode.

1. Introduction: I welcome everyone to the podcast and encouraged residents to drink lots of water and be careful in the extreme heat. My very special guest is Pete Anderson from the Veterans Club who will talk about the flags and the Fourth of July parade. I am happy to tell you that the Shadows Restaurant has decided to get involved and will be offering red, white, and blue pina coladas for $6.00 and mimosas and Bloody Marys for $5.00 after the parade and for the flag raising.

2. History of the Veterans Club - Pete Anderson: The Veterans Club was started by Tom Hudson, a veteran and a colonel, who ran if for years. We lost Tom about three years ago. He initiated the Memorial Day and the Fourth of July celebrations. You may remember the Memorial Day celebration where we had up to 400 people turn out. I invited the ROTC cadets from Shadow Hills High School who did the flag raising. We also usually had two or three Marines from 29 Palms and the mayor of Indio. This is really what got the Veterans Club going.

Toys for Tots: Tom and I also worked together on starting the Toys for Tots at Christmas. We had a dinner with 60 or 70 people about three years ago and it has grown so much. We put Toys for Tots boxes throughout the community and two years ago -- the last time was before Covid -- we collected 1326 toys and 26 bicycles. The Marines take all of the donations to Cathedral City where they are divided by age and gender. We invite the Marines, the ROTC cadets and some of the teachers from Shadow Hills High School to the dinner and this is all paid for by the Veterans Club.

Flag Sale: You may know that our club member Larry Smith sells American flags for the Veterans Club. We've just ordered 100 flags and we sell them for your homes. If you have worn or tattered flags you can take them to Larry or to the Montecito. I pick them up several times a week and take them to the American Legion in Indio. We have two retirement burn flag parties per year. We bring in the ROTC cadets from Shadow Hills High School and the cadets from the American Legion. For the last one about a year ago, we had over 600 flags to burn. We alsohad two guerisson flags to burn. These are the huge flags that you see flying over car dealerships. The cadets helped us cut the flags into about twelve pieces to be able to retire them properly and burn them.

Veterans Club welcomes new members: We currently have only 56 members when we used to have over 100. This is due to Covid and also the loss of veterans. We welcome new members to share our activities. We are dark in July and August but in September we'll resume our monthly Tuesday meetings in the Montecito Clubhouse. We have had interesting guest speakers from the Air Museum, Patton Museum, VFW, and the Veterans Association. We provide information on benefits and how to access them. We invite the cadets to our parties where you have a chance to talk with them.

Flag poles at entrance gates: most communities like ours have the US flag and often the California flag at their gates. I was unable to get Pulte to provide this but we were getting close when Covid struck. With your support, John, it looks like we'll be able to have at least a US flag at each of our entrance gates and maybe a California flag, too. Hopefully, the HOA will pay for the 35 foot poles and the Veterans Club will pay for the flags.

3. Flags for the Fourth of July and the cart parade: I had previously referred everyone to Larry Smith, our "flag guy", but I didn't realize that he only has the larger size flags for your homes. You can get the small ones at hardware stores or Home Depot. Larry has the larger ones for you and also some handmade wood flags that he does himself. His address is 80620 Santa Juliana and he welcomes you to stop by.

Pete and his crew will meet at the Montecito Clubhouse at 7:00 am on the Fourth of July to lay the flags out all across our community. The flags will go up on the morning of the 4th and will come down on the evening of the 5th. The parade will begin at the flagpole at the Montecito and will end at the Shadows Restaurant area where there will be a flag-raising ceremony by the vets. We may even have Johnny Goodrum there to sing American the Beautiful!

I've been so inspired by you, Pete, and the accomplishments of the Veterans Club. I don't join many clubs but I'm a vet and I'll join your club this year. We really appreciate what you and your vets do for us and thank you for being here today.

As published in The View, July 2021:

It Is Time to Bring the Shadows Out of the Shadows

I have been exploring the idea of establishing a special committee of homeowners to focus on the maintenance of and future improvements to our food facilities, most important the Shadows Restaurant and the Montecito Café. Since the beginning of Sun City Shadow Hills, the subsidies for both have been increasing year to year. As part of each resident’s HOA dues, we now pay $11 per month in subsidies toward our restaurant, which sums up to $37,950 per month and ultimately $455,400 per year. That is almost $1 million every two years that is coming directly from all our pockets through HOA dues.

Subsidies will continue to increase if we do not take this seriously now. Many of us enjoy Shadows and want to see it remain; but serious attention, planning, and action need to be taken for this to happen. Previous attempts to fix this issue have fallen short. But by coming together to share our thoughts, opinions, and ideas, I believe we will be able to exchange these debts for profits within the next year or two. For us to succeed, we need to establish this committee to protect the future of our restaurant, to investigate all options, and to proceed with improvements deemed worthwhile.

Albert Einstein once said, “Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results, is the definition of insanity.” For years this has been a money pit for the community, so it is vital that we start weighing our options. Here is what we have heard: Should we make an additional investment to improve the kitchen, enlarge and reorient the bar? Should we establish food minimums for homeowners? Should we pursue lease and management by a local restaurant?

Most of these ideas have been considered in the past. Our new committee will focus on these aspects along with the financial ones to pin down which will help us exchange past losses for future profits. Change can be unpredictable at times, but it is in our best interest that the Board form this committee to assist us in considering these questions.

Since this was brought to the attention of the Board, we have received some new and proactive suggestions for improving the restaurant. We have considered the idea of a separate bar with an area for live music, attached to an entirely new dining area. Also, adding a pizza oven and preparation station for pizzas made for dine-in or take-away. We could also launch an advertising campaign to all our neighboring communities, touching upon these possible improvements to our restaurant and letting them know that Shadows is open for business. Meanwhile we would like our community to be able once again to enjoy all facilities including the restaurant, banquets, and lounge to their full extent. These are all inviting options that could possibly bring in more business.

Moving forward, I would like to see homeowners pitch their ideas as well, whether from the sidelines or the frontlines where decisions will be made and initiated within this new committee. By bringing this situation to the attention of the entire community, I hope we will be able to start a new age, reexamining past decisions to ensure a better future for ourselves and the generations that follow.

The success of such endeavors will depend on the willingness of homeowners – using their interest and expertise – to get involved with this vital evolution of our community. It does not matter how much time you invest in this endeavor, because together our shared interest will always be better than none at all. As they say in a famous game show, “Come on Down,” let us get this ball rolling.

Upward and onward, I will see you there.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast286

Below is a synopsis of this episode.

1. HOA Board Meeting: a reminder that the next open Board meeting will be on Monday, June 28, 2021, at the Montecito Clubhouse.

2. Club and Committee Chairs: I am inviting the chairs of all clubs and advisory committees to participate in a podcast to talk about what's happening with their clubs. I've asked Vanessa to spearhead this and to take the names of those who are interested. There are a lot of new people in our community, as well as others currently in Canada or in other states, who want to plan their activities for when they return here so it's a good time to get your message out there. So just contact Vanessa in the HOA Office to set up a time to schedule a podcast.

3. Advisory Committees: there are openings on these committees so I encourage you to go to the HOA Office to complete an application form. After an initial interview, the chair will send your application to the Board to get you involved. The Finance Advisory Committee, for example, needs a couple of people and I would love to see a couple of ladies on that committee. If you are retired and have some financial background, please consider submitting an application.

4. Kathy Lindstrom, Chair of the Food and Beverage Advisory Committee, reporting on:

A) Menu items and theme nights as the Shadows Restaurant: some of the menu features include a great breakfast of a large pancake, one egg any style and bacon or sausage for just $4.50; on weekends we have Eggs Benedict, hash and eggs, biscuits and gravy, a smoked salmon platter, and cinnamon French toast.

When it's too hot to cook, we have wonderful salads such as our Special Shadows Salad for $12.95 with baby spinach tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette and topped with fresh strawberries, apricots, dried cranberries, candied pecans and goat cheese and a protein choice of turkey, chicken, shrimp or salmon. We also have a citrus shrimp and avocado salad, a Cobb salad, a chicken salad, and a stuffed tomato salad. And we have a ton of sandwiches.

B) Theme Nights: tonight is Pasta Night. Then on July 7th is our Shrimp Spectacular, July 14th is our Summer Salad Extravaganza where you will be able to taste all of our salads. July 21st and 28th will be Pasta Nights. But hold off on your reservations until Friday (June 25th) because we are meeting tomorrow with the Food and Beverage Advisory Committee to see how we can increase the seating for these special theme nights because we have been sold out. We may be having two seatings so we can have more people there for the fun and camaraderie.

C) Montecito Café Update: For those of you who are concerned about the closure of the Café, we are meeting tomorrow (July 24th) to discuss options to use the Montecito Café. We have been talking with residents and hearing their ideas. We will be making a presentation to the Board on this, so stay tuned for more information. We appreciate your patience. In the meantime, stop into the Shadows Restaurant for a pitcher of beer or of Margaritas. You can also bring your own wine -- the corkage fee has been dropped to $8.00.

5. Montecito Pool Opening Celebration: This will happen on Saturday, June 26th, with free hotdogs, chips and soft drinks. We are allowed seating for 86 and we're at least 75 over that, So we'll open the gym and the amphitheater area to provide more space for as many as we can. So please stop by to enjoy a hot dog and the music provided by our Board Vice-President Johnny Goodrum.

6. Memo from Safety Advisory Committee: The Board received a memo from the Safety Advisory Committee and voted in favor that all gates will be closed all day from now on going in and out. If you have questions or are concerned about this, the Safety Advisory Committee Chair Jeff Kirkpatrick will be making a presentation at the open Board Meeting on Monday, June 28th, so you will be able to ask questions at that time.

7. Fourth of July flags: Every year the veterans put out US flags at our gates and around our community for any US celebrations that involve the flag. This year there will be flags out for two days since the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday so the official holiday is Monday, the 5th. Our golf cart flag celebration will be on Sunday and the Veterans Club President Pete Anderson will be at the Montecito Clubhouse at 8:00 am for those who want to decorate their carts with flags and to see you off for the golf cart parade. I'll be there with my dogs and flags on my cart, too, to join in the celebration.

If you would like to purchase a flag for your cart or your house, I have been given permission by Larry Smith who sells flags for the Veterans Committee to give out his name and address: 80620 Camino Santa Juliana. So you can just stop by Larry's house to purchase a flag.

8. New Security Director: Our new Security Director, Tuey Paiyarat, will be at the Montecito Pool Opening Celebration and at the June 28th Board Meeting, as well. We're very happy to have filled that position.

9. Jefferson Ponds and North Channel: I've asked Roland in the Troon golf office to take charge of cleaning up the first pond, so they area active as we speak cutting down the weeds and doing a general clean-up. The first pond isn't affected by the North Channel Project. They've also been working hard on the golf courses and doing a great job.

10. Pets in the heat: I want to finish as I always do in the summer with a reminder to keep your pets off the pavement. Put booties on them or carry them, whatever you have to do to make sure they're safe. Please don't let them put their paws on the pavement -- it's dangerous out there.

As published in The View, June 2021:

Get On Board

As I sit down to write this, I have been your new HOA Board President for a little over 30 days, during which I and my fellow team members on the Board have been beneficially busy. I have focused on familiarizing myself with the many staff personnel and various contractor employees that make our community operate on a day-to-day basis. I have also enjoyed meeting with members of the various Advisory Committees, as well as our selfless volunteer homeowners, to gain a better understanding of their efforts and ideas for improvements within their committees. People like this, each with a generous amount of devotion to this community, have made it possible for everyone else to focus on the business of making our community even better. I would also like to acknowledge the continued support, assistance, and encouragement that I have received from so many of you as our new administration commences with a different approach.

Within the last month I have come to understand that change takes time. I know that many of you feel much more comfortable about this new administration, and even proud to live in this community again, however there are some who still feel wary about this new approach. Like all great things, it does take time, patience, and understanding to find common ground when opposing views intertwine. Remember, we may disagree, but we must do it agreeably, so that collectively, we can find the best way to make our community enjoyable for everyone invested.

I would also like to broaden the impact that our selfless volunteers have had on our community. Any amount of help, whether minute or grand here and there, is the backbone of our new success as a community. While the Board is working with matters like the stability and continuity of a desirable community, our fellow volunteer homeowners have been dedicating their time in a wide variety of ways. Some have come from backgrounds as teachers, some as scientists, and some ran their own businesses. It may help or it may not even matter what one’s background is. All that really matters is their invested determination to help strengthen our community during such a brief transition. Within only a few days, many of our selfless new volunteers expressed an interest, were interviewed, and placed into positions in a wide range of committees. I would like to thank and congratulate all who have contributed thus far. Here are a few that have allowed me to announce their acceptance:

• Toni Caylor – Chair, Covenants Committee
• Kathy Lindstrom – Chair, Food and Beverage Advisory Committee
• Jeff Kirkpatrick – Chair, Safety Advisory Committee
• Paul Priebe – Food and Beverage Advisory Committee
• Sue Krogsdale – Food and Beverage Advisory Committee
• Frank Molnar – Covenants Committee
• Plus four new members to Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee

A list of all our committees is available in The View and can also be found on our community website at www.scshca.com/volunteer. If any committes interest you, please download and submit an application to our assistant general manager, Vanessa Ayon, at vanessa.ayon@associa.us. From there, an interview, availability check, and any other supporting experience you may have, will be reviewed, and submitted to the committee chairs, who will contact you about your application.

Together we can keep growing as a community, and – whether you do it today, tomorrow, or sometime in the future – you will find there are many ways to share your expertise for the betterment of our community. I am excited to meet new volunteers and welcome their strengths as we move forward. Thank you for helping us all prove that Sun City Shadow Hills can become even better.

P.S. The Board, our volunteers, committee chairs, and especially the members of our community, are excited to see the progress toward entering the State’s “Yellow Tier.” We hope this is the case by the time this message is published. Upward and onward – I’ll see you there!

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.

As published in The View, May 2021:

As you read this, my first President’s Report, you should keep in mind that it is being written just hours after our April 6 election. Because of publication deadlines for The View magazine’s May issue which will first arrive in some of your mail tubes the last few days of April, this is necessarily both a quick look back and prediction of things to come.

The first thing I want to do is recognize and thank all of those who entrusted me and Moira MacLeod-Foster, our new Treasurer, with your support, confidence, hopes, and your votes. To those of you who voted for other candidates, I thank you for participating and voting and, although I can understand and appreciate the disappointment some may feel, Moira and I assure you that your views and comments during our campaigns were heard and informed us. We will endeavor as much as possible to keep these things in mind as we work to do the jobs entrusted to us.

Elections can be difficult times in any community, and that is because differences on matters of concern to many are naturally highlighted. The fog of spirited debate can often distract us from the main goal of our community, which is to find things we all have in common and build upon those. In this way, we build a stronger, better, and more successful place to live and enjoy.

It is my sincere hope that our divisions and differences will quickly subside and that all of our best efforts will help us make our community all it can be. I believe it can and will get better than it has been while, at the same time, prove to be what we all envisioned when first coming here. I strongly believe in the view expressed by a former Board member, that in our community being a Director on the Board is not so much about power as it is about service. I also pledge to be as open and transparent as possible.

Now to the predictions that I mentioned, and which I hope you will all be starting to recognize even in the short time that will have elapsed since the election. I hope that the new line-up of Board officers will demonstrate a commitment to you that nothing is and should be written in stone in a healthy and vibrant community. Your new Board members will be working hard with those concluding their terms during the next year and will be reviewing, reconsidering, and in some cases tweaking and changing past decisions that proved unpopular or that unnecessarily divided us.

Some of the things which will undoubtedly occupy our time will be to closely examine our contractual commitments with various service providers who make this community function on a day-to-day basis, because it is and should be primarily the function of the Board to oversee those functions and not control them in every detail. We will be revisiting the makeup of our various advisory committees which have proven extremely valuable to the efficient operation of our community and which help us protect our financial interests keeping costs to a minimum. We also, where appropriate, will be looking to increase and encourage the involvement of new and talented members of our community to serve on those committees so that new and fresh views have a chance to thrive and contribute.

So please, if you have skill sets you wish to contribute and wish to have a say in how your community is run, step forward. It is an easy thing to enlarge those committees to utilize what others can bring to the table. We will be spending less of the Board members’ precious time dealing with small things and focus more on broader issues and future concerns, not the least of which is to encourage more of our homeowners to come out and vote for the type of community they desire.

Although we had a good turnout for this last election, we somehow failed to motivate slightly more than a third of our owners to vote. And that made it impossible to reach the necessary level to amend our governing documents. Changing the provisions of those basic contractual agreements to which we are all bound was designed not to be easy, but we should be able to get the necessary votes out to revise them when required by law and clearly within a hair’s breadth of passing. So, we must all focus on encouraging all owners to participate through voting in order to shape our community.

In future articles, I will be sharing this space with other Board members to offer their contributions and thoughts. I look forward to reporting that we are beginning to accomplish some of my predictions.

I wish to end with, and paraphrase and slightly alter the words of, a poem I have long admired by Robert Frost:

Our community is lovely and our members diverse and deep.
But I have promises to keep.
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Now, to work, as I am sure it can and does get better than this.

Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.