Rules Regarding All Rentals Cpoa-Governing-Documents

Home , San Emigdio Mountain, San Emigdio Mountains

Rules Regarding All Rentals cpoa-governing-documents. PMCPOA website at https://pinemountainclub.net/web/pages/pm - tact information). much information as possible (i.e., address, owner’s name and con - via phone (661) 868-3490 or [email protected] and provide as they are collecting and/or remitting the Transient Occupancy Tax? his or her residence as a hotel or vacation home but I do not believe PMCPOA. to copy a submit and certificate TaxOccupancy Transient a County mit fee to PMCPOA. ing their STR, contact information of renter and dates occupancy. mit to PMCPOA in advance of occupancy the name of the person rent - short-term rental(s) with PMCPOA. ance. “I didn’t know the rules” is no longer a valid excuse. these rules and a warning that citations will be issued for non-compli tion Rules and also serves as both a request that members comply with considering rentals to read and understand Article 22 of the Associa - tributed to all members serves as a notice any owners operating or rules regarding all rentals. failed to register their rentals. We are seeking compliance with the rules, and we have members who do not. We have owners who have responsible members operating rentals who have complied with the short-term rentals (STR’s) over one year ago. Since then, we have You may access Article 22 with the Association Rules on the ANSWER: Contact the Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector QUESTION: Who do I contact if I have a neighbor that is renting of STR’sRule 22.03 (c) - Owners are required to obtain from Kern Rule 22.03 – Owners of STR’s are required to pay an annual per are required to sub - Rule 22.02 and Civil Code 4740(c) - Owners Rule 22.02 - Owners are required to register their long-term or Here are the most frequently violated rules: The informationbeing published in this newsletter and dis - now The association implemented rules pertaining to long-term and By Bill Lewis II, PMCPOA Board Chairman - -

The official publication of the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association, Inc.

2524 Beechwood Way . PO Box P Pine Mountain Club . California . 93222 www.pinemountainclub.net 661.242.3788 . 661.242.1471 (fax)

Kern Fire Safe Council Want to help make PMC a fire-resilient community? Learn more on page 4!

Published monthly by the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association, Inc. The official publication of the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association, Inc. VOLUME 43 . NUMBER 3 . MARCH 2021

Check out PMC’s website at www.pinemountainclub.net Our World Notice of Special Open of Nature Board Meeting Mil Potrero Wetlands By Lynn Stafford with Liz and Saturday, March 13, 10am Bill Buchroeder Photo 1: Clematis on wild rose; arroyo willow in background Budget Discussion We have a very unique and special resident here in PMC. It has probably been here for thousands of years. And there is not Via Zoom another one like it for close to 100 miles from here. Please see Draft Summary Budget, page 11 This is not a person, not an animal or even a plant. This is an ecosystem -- the Mil Potrero Wetlands. Several of our green belts contain portions of this unique ecosystem. The easiest way to see it is to drive along Mil Potrero Highway between Woodland Happy 50th Anniversary Drive and Nesthorn Way. This time of year, it does not look like much; in fact, it looks like a dirty mess of dried brown vegetation. Pine Mountain Club! Some folks worry this might start a wildfire. However, the As part of an ongoing celebration of Pine Mountain truth is, this would be the last type of vegetation in our commu- Club’s 50th birthday this year, we will continue to recognize nity to burn. Some of the dead material visible are stems of last the people, places and events that make our community spe- year’s virgin’s bower (Clematis), a vine that grows over woody cial with stories, history and other information in the Condor. bushes (Photo 1). In this area next to Mil Potrero Highway, it has Most will agree that one of the best things about living ‘NATURE Continued on page 3 in or visiting PMC is the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Pine Mountain Club is situated in the Los Padres Na- tional Forest within the San Emigdio Mountains, which are Mountain Lions Live in PMC, Too a part of the Transverse Ranges of Southern California. Ac- Patrice Stimpson, PMC Patrol Chief cording to Wikipedia, “The San Emigdios link the Tehacha- One of our members was recently walking his small dog (off- pi Mountains and the Temblor Range, and form the south- leash!) at around 1 a.m. on Maplewood Way. The dog was only ern wall of the San Joaquin Valley. The range is named after 8 feet behind it’s owner when a mountain lion jumped on it in a split second, pinning it down. Instinctively the owner ran, yelling ‘ANNIVERSARY’ Continued on page 8 at the cat, which was enough to cause the cat to let go and run off. The dog was extremely lucky to get off with one claw puncture in Election Filing Deadline is 3/26 it’s back. The cat never had it in his mouth. This large male cat has been around PMC for several years, The filing deadline for potential PMCPOA Board of Director can- and we think he has taken other pets in the past. didates is Friday, March 26 at 5 p.m. Please note that this is two weeks earlier than in previous years in order to conform to the voting process PLEASE keep your dogs leashed AT ALL TIMES if for no calendar of the California Civil Code. Members may nominate them- other reason than it’s own safety. This is also an Association rule, selves by submitting a Letter of Intent at the PMCPOA business office. and a Kern County ordinance. DO NOT let dogs outside unat- A member nominating another member must first obtain the written tended between dusk and dawn (or house cats) -- this is also an permission of the nominee. For a complete listing of requirements and Association rule designed to keep your pets safe. Please don’t procedures on running for a seat on the Board, please call the office, or make the mistake of thinking your pets are safe on a deck or big visit the PMCPOA website “Governing Documents” page. enough to fend off a wild predator -- they are not! MARCH 2021

Time to Spring Clean for Safety The official publication of the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association, Inc. PMCPOA Emergency Preparedness Committee VOL 43 . NO 3 . MARCH 2021 SPRING CLEANING Published by Pine Mountain Club Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 14, and it will once again be time Property Owners Association, Inc. to “spring forward.” This is also a good time to check your smoke alarms and car- www.pinemountainclub.net bon monoxide detectors. Test your alarms once a month by pushing the test button, Editor/Designer and replace batteries once a year when you change your clocks. Ronni Wilde Spring is a great time to clean out a lot of areas of your home, including your [email protected] medication cabinet, your garage and your cleaning products. Condor Committee Member Connie Baldin SPRING CLEAN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET: Mailing Volunteers Debbie Bates • JoAnn Blair • Check expiration dates on the prescription and over-the-counter medications. Gary Cadwallader • Nancy Cadwallader Do not throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Put them in a bag and Gail Pattarino check with the local Sheriff’s Department (245-3440) on where to dispose of them. Mary Lou MacLean • Shirin Murphy Shirley Meythaler • Ruth Handy Or take them to a pharmacy with a medications collection box. Bring: products in Erin Pattarino their original prescription packaging, pills, tablets and capsules, creams, ointments, “Mel” Olson • Shirley Morales lotions and powders, inhalers and nebulizer solutions and liquid medication less Amber Lawrence • Marie Valencia Lesley McCleery • Terry Butler than 4 oz. Do not bring: Controlled substances, sharps (razors, needles, knives, etc.) or liquid medicines over 4 oz. Advertising Information [email protected] • Check make-up and personal-care products. The shelf life of most products after opening is eight months or so. Printed by the PMCPOA Business Office. PMCPOA Corporate Office SPRING CLEAN YOUR GARAGE AND CLEANING 2524 Beechwood Dr. .PO Box P Pine Mountain Club, CA PRODUCTS: 93222 • 661.242.3788 • Get rid of old and unwanted bug killers, paints, automotive supplies, lawn and Address Changes garden pesticides, cleaners, degreasers and fluorescent and CFL light bulbs. Haz- Call 661.242.3788 ardous products that say CAUTION, WARNING, CORROSIVE, DANGER OR Copyright© 2021 by PMCPOA, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material POISON on the label cannot go in the trash. Take these to a Hazardous Waste Col- from this issue expressly forbidden without lection Site. permission of the publisher. Unsolicited articles, letters to the editor, and photographs The next Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Lebec Transfer Station is are welcomed with the understanding that Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. publication is at the sole discretion of the editorial staff and cannot be returned unless Accepted Materials -- Batteries, motor oil, paints, light bulbs, sharps, pool chem- accompanied by a SASE. Reasonable care in icals, automotive products and more. handling submissions will be taken but the Condor cannot be responsible for materials Rules to Follow: submitted. The Condor is published monthly by • Label all containers. PMCPOA, Inc. and is the official publication of the corporation. Opinions expressed do not • No leaking containers. necessarily reflect the views of the Condor • Do not mix waste. Committee, the PMCPOA Board of Directors, or the management. The Condor is mailed to • Transport no more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste per trip. members in good standing. Please contact the PMCPOA office with change of address. PMCPOA, Inc. does not endorse the products of advertisers in The Condor. The PMCPOA Board of Directors meets on the third Saturday of every month at 10 am Please help us to save trees and keep our costs down in the Condor Room of the Clubhouse. All members are invited to attend the open session. substantially by allowing us to email all of your member The executive session is a closed meeting for the discussion of and action on legal and notices and your monthly Condor to your email personnel matters, third party contracts, and address. Simply email me at [email protected] and we member-requested hearings. Members may request copies of the open will add your email address to your member account. Board Meeting minutes. These requests should be made in writing to the Corporate Secretary. There is a charge per page for making copies Thank you, Karin Shulman, GM of the minutes.

-2- MARCH 2021 ‘NATURE’ Continued from page 1 Photos by Bill Buchroeder, clambered over wild rose, choke cherry Charlie and willows (Photo 2). All of these bushes Hall, Liz look dead now in the winter. They are very Buchroeder, much alive, and their stems are green in- Lynn Stafford side. Within a few months, this whole plot and Randy Photo 2: Clematis over wild rose, Cushman of well-watered vegetation will be vibrant choke cherry and willows with green and other colors. These wetlands consist of four basic types of habitat. There are running small streams (Photo 3), wet meadows dominat- ed by rushes (Photos 4 & 5), thickets of Arroyo willow, wild rose and other bushes (Photo 6) and a few patches of ripar- Photo 6: Dense Arroyo willow forest ian woodlands including red willow and Fremont cottonwood (Photo 7). Before the development of PMC starting in the ear- Photo 3: Stream within wetlands ly 1970s, cattle grazing occurred in the meadows. Ernest Twisselmann, author of the Flora of Kern County, 1967, wrote “... prolonged heavy grazing has greatly ac- celerated natural erosion processes and the meadows are being rapidly cut through with ditches that are draining the subsur- face moisture and changing the wet cienegas to dry meadows [and leading to] a Photo 7: Fremont cottonwood deep dry canyon bottom.”

The building of PMC had two pro- Photo 4: Wetland landscape with goldenrod found effects on the wetlands. A small por- in foreground tion of the wetlands was drained and filled Photo 8 to build the golf course and the Clubhouse. (right): Grazing in the wetlands was halted. So, a Jim Whitener small portion of the wetlands was con- Tree verted to other uses, and the majority was, and is, being allowed to recover and flour- ish. In California, approximately 95% of the State’s wetlands have been degraded

‘NATURE’ Continued on page 14 Photo 5: Wetland landscape Dr. Kolodner In PMC Dental Group 6 years! 16333 Pine Valley Lane #303 Pine Mtn Club, CA (661) 242-3704 • Cosmetic and General Dentistry • Oral Surgery & Root Canals • Children’s Dentistry & ln-office Bleaching APPLIANCE REPAIR • All PPO’s & Care Credit accepted • No Insurance, $95 (includes cleaning, exam, Xrays & oral cancer screening) www.kdgsmiles.com

-3- MARCH 2021 You Can Help nonprofit organizations whose goal is to educate the public on fire-safety Defensible Space Make PMC a practices. Wildfire is inevitable, but it needn’t be catastrophic if we work to- Webinar Fire-Resilient gether to harden our homes, create de- KFSC & KCFD with SCE Community fensible space and take measures to protect ourselves and our neighbors in March 23, 2021, 5 -6 pm Kern Fire Safe Council advance of fire. Hello Pine Mountain Club! You can Living in the forest is a choice we Facebook Live: kernfiresafe make PMC a fire-resilient community by made. Keeping it green and full of life is reducing our risk of the impact of wildfire. Call 661.246.3955 or Email to our responsibility. Working together as a [email protected] The Kern Fire Safe Council was created community makes it easier. in 2020, (at least something good came Check out our webpage at kernfiresafe. Or catch the rebroadcast at out of 2020!) by combining the efforts of org. Like us on Facebook at kernfiresafe. kernfiresafe.org the Kern River Valley, Tehachapi and our We’re on Instagram @kernfiresafe. Then own Mt. Pinos communities to work with sign on to be part of the Mt. Pinos Chapter county, state and federal agencies to pro- Remember, when it comes to wildfires, or the Kern Fire Safe Council. You have mote fire safety. we are never out of the woods. We live in what we need to succeed. Fire Safe councils are grassroots the forest!

Members: Please Please visit the PMCPOA website (Members’ side) at pinemountainclub. Golf Course and Take the Strategic net/group/pages/legal-notices to take the survey, or visit the Survey Monkey Pro Shop Open Plan Survey website directly at surveymonkey.com/ r/9GSSSN3. The survey should take 15- The Planning Committee has put to- 9am to 5pm 20 minutes to complete. gether a new 49-question survey for use Every Day in developing the Five-Year Strategic If you prefer a hard copy of the survey, Plan. The survey is for members only, and please call the Business office at 661-242- 661-242-3734 is used to assess what the needs are here 3788 to request that it be sent to you, then re- in PMC. The multiple-choice questions turn it to the business office when completed. range across a multitude of topics affect- ing the community and the PMCPOA. Please Pick Up After Your Pet The editorial and Your answers to these questions will Please be considerate and pick advertising deadline help provide the foundational data that up after your dog. The association for the April 2021 will be used to write the next Five-Year office has been getting lots of PMCPOA Strategic Plan. This plan will complaints about dogs doing their Condor is Monday, inform how PMCPOA addresses the vari- business in other people’s yards, March 15. ous issues facing the community. It is crit- on the street, on walking paths, etc. ically important, and it starts with your Please take along a bag when you answers on this survey. are out walking your dog. Thank you. Liliana West Put my nearly 20-year EXPERIENCE, knowledge, service and PROFESSIONALISM to work for you

661.433.WEST (9378) • Mailbox pick-up • Grocery pick-up List with me in PMC • House plant watering and I’ll pay your escrow fee!

Century 21 Everest [email protected] BRE Lic# 01346346 www.lilwest.com

-4- MARCH 2021

Condor Cafe Hours Indoor Dining Still Closed Take-out/Curbside Pickup Available Breakfast and Lunch 8 am to 2 pm Wednesday thru Sunday Dinner The Native Plant Garden in January Thursday (Special) Native Plant Garden Donation Information 4 to 7:30 pm Susan Amon Fridays and Saturdays While the Native Plant Garden is dormant, we hope to sprout new donations to finish the split-rail fencing around the garden. We’re taking donations of used split-rail fenc- 4 to 8 pm ing, as well as monetary donations, to purchase new rails and posts. If you have fenc- Please place your food or- ing you’d like to donate, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll ar- der at 661-242-2233 and then range to pick it up. To make a monetary donation, please donate at https://gofund.me/ call us again when you are in c95a3c9a. the parking lot and your food will be brought out to your car. Home delivery is offered for $2 when weather permits. Once it gets icy and/or snows, the delivery option stops. Delivery is only available for dinners, starting at 4pm Thursday – Saturday. 661-242-2233

Save the Date The next blood drive for Houchin Blood Bank will be on Thursday, May 13 from 10am-2pm in the PMC Clubhouse parking lot. Details coming soon.

-5- MARCH 2021

Bill Lewis II A Message from the Chairman [email protected]

The Planning Com- proceed and amend our governing docu- lished an article based on rumors rather mittee has completed the ments to comply with the law or be sub- than facts regarding the application pro- member survey, and it is ject to violation. The board believes it is cess for the new general manager position. now available to take on- an important issue and requests input from A simple fact-checking phone call to the line or you can contact the members before reaching a final decision. current general manager could have dis- office for a hard copy. We Two committees – Recreation and pelled the rumor that I applied to be the encourage all members to take the survey Equestrian – were temporarily suspended new general manager. The rumor is not and fully participate with input. The pur- for four months and their meetings post- true. Unfortunately, the failure to fact- pose of the survey is to assist us in pre- poned. Staff has been conducting much of check allowed the author to then supple- paring the next 5-year Strategic Plan on the work that is chartered to these commit- ment the rumors with what some members schedule to be presented this coming July. tees. This action was not intended to stop are calling false, disparaging speculations The age ranges on the survey help us member participation. Equestrian is look- about the process, clearly attempting to determine the demographic makeup of our ing to reorganize and consider becoming undermine the credibility of the board and community to address current and poten- a club. Recreation has been inactive since its chairman. Whatever happened to jour- tial services and amenities. COVID and recreation-related activities nalistic integrity and fact-based reporting? The survey also includes questions and events have not been held and are not The budget process for the next fiscal about options for limitations and restric- anticipated to resume until pandemic re- year continues with an open budget meet- tions on rentals. We are required by a new strictions are lifted. ing for the board and members to be held law to make a decision on how we will The local newspaper recently pub- ‘MESSAGE’ Cont. on page 15 PMC Board of Directors Meeting Highlights Grace Wollemann, Recording Secretary Regular Board Meeting of Jan. 16, 2021. MO- year. MOTION carried. These are highlights of the Board of Di- TION carried. MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelk- rectors open meeting of February 20, 2021. Chair Bill Lewis II presented the Chair- er, SECOND by Director Acosta to approve Complete minutes are available at the busi- man’s report. General Manager Karin Shul- Business Policy D-16 (Contracting). MO- ness office or online at www.pinemoun- man presented the GM’s report. Director Cam TION carried. tainclub.net after their approval at the next Acosta presented the Treasurer’s report. MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, board meeting. In the regular open meeting, MOTION by Director Acosta, SECOND SECOND by Director Gabriel to approve Chairman Bill Lewis II called the meeting by Director Burkett to ratify the Association’s Business Policy E-11 (Association Expendi- to order at 10:00 a.m. Nine directors attend- Jan. 2021 financials in accordance with Civil tures Over $10,000). MOTION carried. ed: Cam Acosta, Richard Ballard, Steve Code §5500 and §5501. MOTION carried. MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, Burkett, Philip Gabriel, Tony Harmon, Peg- BOARD ACTION ITEMS: SECOND by Director Gabriel to delete Busi- gy Hoyt-Voelker, Chairman Lewis II, Ellen ness Policy E-16 (Multi-Department Costs). McClellan and Phyllis Throckmorton. Also OLD BUSINESS: NONE MOTION carried. in attendance were General Manager Kar- NEW BUSINESS: MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, in Shulman and Recording Secretary Grace WITHDRAWN - MOTION to approve SECOND by Director McClellen to approve Wollemann. RESOLUTION #01-02-20-2021, suspension Business Policy E-25 (Capital Reserve). MO- The board acknowledged receipt of the of the Communications Committee, pending TION carried. committee minutes. There were zero (0) com- re-evaluation of the committee in the 2021- mittee applications for approval. There was one 2022 fiscal year. MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, SECOND by Director McClellen to approve (1) Environmental Control Committee project MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, Business Policy H-13 (Disclosure of Interest). recommended and zero (0) cottage industry SECOND by Director Gabriel to approve MOTION carried. permits. RESOLUTION #02-02-20-2021, suspension MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, of the Equestrian Committee pending re-eval- The board sent and received 17 items of SECOND by Director Throckmorton that the uation of the committee in the 2021-2022 fiscal correspondence. agenda for the Board of Directors Meeting of year. MOTION carried. The next Special Open Board Meeting, Feb. 20, 2021 be adopted. MOTION carried. MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, the Budget Meeting, will take place on March MOTION by Director Hoyt-Voelker, SECOND by Director Burkett to approve 13, 2021 at 10am via Zoom. The next Regular SECOND by Director McClellen to approve RESOLUTION #03-02-20-2021, suspension Open Board Meeting will take place on March the draft minutes of the Board of Directors of the Recreation Committee pending re-eval- 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. uation of the committee in the 2021-2022 fiscal Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. -6- Firefox MARCH 2021 about:blank Treasurer’s Report

-7-

1 of 1 1/18/2021, 2:03 PM MARCH 2021 ‘ANNIVERSARY’ Cont. from pg. 1

‘Emygdius,’ an early Christian martyr, and --- General Manager’s Update --- is within Kern County. The highest point Karin Shulman March 20th at 10 am. At the April meet- is San Emigdio Mountain at 7,492 feet. As ing, the budget will hopefully be voted on with most of the Transverse Ranges, the Thank you to those who have been at- and approved. mountains generally lie in an east-west di- tending the Board meetings via Zoom. I We are also in election mode. We have rection.” According to the U.S. Forest Ser- have hope that sometime this year we will three seats on the board for three-year vice, the San Emigdios were formed as a be able to have everyone attend in person. terms and one seat for a two-year term. If result of movement, shifting and compres- I look forward to opening the clubhouse, you are interested, please send in your let- sion brought on by the San Andreas Fault, Condor Café for inside dining and host- ter of intent to run for the board and state which runs through our area and is one of ing the Concerts on the Greens. I, like ev- if you are running for a three-year or two- the world’s largest vertical faults. eryone else, am starved for socialization. year term. Volunteering your time to be a Because of the beauty of our moun- We are in full swing with preparing director on the board is a great way to give tain communities and its forests, it’s no the budget. The first DRAFT of the bud- back to your community. If that is some- surprise that there have been many camps get is in this Condor. Remember, it is thing you don’t think you can do at this and campgrounds located in the region. As only a draft, and will be changed sever- time, how about volunteering for one of most know, we have our own campground al times as we work on it. March 13th at our important committees? We have a lot right in PMC, and there are several camp- 10 am, via Zoom, will be the Board of of new people in our community, what grounds west of our community heading Directors’ open budget meeting. A pow- better way to help and be involved! out toward Maricopa and Taft on Hudson er point presentation will be given by the The Condor Café will continue with Ranch Road and down into Quatal Can- accounting manager as to how we came home delivery for dinners as long as there yon. up with the numbers. I hope everyone is good weather. Thank you everyone for Janis Grimont, a PMCPOA member, will attend. The regular open board meet- continuing to support the café during these shared a fun story about fond memories ing will be held the following Saturday, trying times. We really appreciate it. she has of visiting this area many years ago. “When my husband and I first visited PMC circa 1990, there was a feeling of Mountain ‘deja vous’ for me. It dawned on me that I remember attending a camp near here Vacation Rentals in the mid-1950s, and think it was called 661-724-6067 ‘Piney’ Mountain. Before you reach PMC, in the first valley you see prior to- enter Carolyn Gilbert/ ing PMC, there are a few remnants of that Elizabeth Gilbert camp. It may have been under the auspices of the YMCA in those days.” She contin- Serving Pine Mountain Club ues, “There was a scattering of small cab- ins, a main meeting/dining room, a corral [email protected] with horses and an old swimming pool. It was a fun experience for 10 days, and a TwoGirlsRentals.com relatively short drive for the Santa Barbara kids that summer. Great memories! Little did I know I would be revisiting the area again after all those years.” Do you have a story or memory about the early days of Pine Mountain Club? Or is there an event or experience you’ve had here that you’d like to share in honor of this momentous year? We’d like to hear about it! Please email your stories to us for publication in the Condor over the next year. Email details or stories to rwilde@ pmcpoa.com. Thank you! We will look forward to your submissions.

-8- MARCH 2021 a few feet. My foot was pressed hard to returning to the warmth and comfort of my Letter to the Editor floorboard like I was applying the breaks. bed. Snow Plow Drivers: Our Arriving at work a bit frazzled, I Let’s all give a huge thank you to our Unsung Heroes thanked him for the ride and said, “In the unsung heroes of the mountain. future, if you ever see me walking to work While trudging through the deep snow Lori Harmon, PMCPOA Equestrian in the snow, just keep on driving.” on Woodland Drive heading toward work, Center Manager I was offered a lift by a fellow employ- This morning, my day off, I was awak- The writer is solely responsible for the ee who had been working throughout the ened in the wee hours by the scraping contents of the letter and acknowledges night clearing the roads. I happily ac- sounds of the snowplow blade. I peeked that the viewpoint, opinions, and validi- cepted and climbed up into the cab of the out my bedroom window and thought to ty of the facts expressed in the letter are snowplow. “So thankful for the lift,” I myself, “You couldn’t pay me enough to those of the writer only, and are not neces- said to the driver. do a job like that.” I said a little prayer for sarily shared by the editor, the Association the safety of the snowplow operator before As the truck headed up the mountain, or the Condor Committee. visibility on the road was nil. I was hop- ing he would turn around... I could feel the slip and slide of the PROFESSIONAL SERVICES truck as the tires lost traction with the road. My hands were clenched tightly to the sides of the seat. I was petrified and watched in amazement as the driver ma- Electrical Work Yardwork, Etc. neuvered that snowplow with the skill of Old Wire Electric a surgeon. Ron’s Odd Jobs & Yardwork The Old House Wiring Specialist On the way down the mountain, I (323) 590-4563 thought I could breathe a sigh of relief, (818) 533-1975 but that was short-lived. Along the road Professional Services ads are were adults and children walking and $5 per line per month, two-line playing in and near the street. There were Insurance Services minimum, when paid by the year. a few stranded vehicles in and on the side Otherwise, $6 per line per month. of the road as well. I was in disbelief and King Insurance No refunds. The fee includes thought that I had seen it all when all of (661) 753-7080 the name of your business and a sudden, a car backing out of the drive- phone number. PMCPOA does way missed hitting the snowplow by just not guarantee the accuracy of the Tree Service/Arborist information nor does it endorse any business or service listed Ablaze Tree Service PMCPOA Office Hours here. To place an ad here, call (661) 699-8630 242-3788. (Phone Calls Only) 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-3pm Sat (Closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m.) Office 242-3788 Patrol 242-3857 (24 hrs)

Lounge Remains Closed Under the Governor’s orders, the PMCPOA Lounge remains closed.

-9- MARCH 2021

COMPLIMENTS, CONCERNS,COMPLAINTS PMC Facebook Page PMCPOA welcomes member input. Drop ideas off in the CCC Box in the Clubhouse Lobby, or click on the “CCC Box” menu item on the The only OFFICIAL members’-only side of the PMC website at www.pinemountainclub.net. PMCPOA Facebook page Anonymous submissions will not be published. can be accessed at:

Thank you for your submissions to the erage Manager has been with us for https://www.facebook. Complaints, Concerns and Compliments about 1½ years, and along with our fab- com/Pine-Mountain- Box. It takes a village to run a village, and ulous cooks, they all have come up with Club-Property- your care and concern help keep PMC the some great recipes and food ideas. We Owners-Association wonderful place we love. are proud to have the Condor Café staff -483903745518764/ Look for responses in the Condor. that we have. Please be sure to include your contact information. While your name will not be published or posted, we don’t respond to Home Hardening hardening. anonymous submissions. 2. PMC does not qualify for FEMA If you have a concern that involves Against Wildfire grants. FEMA grants are for large projects maintenance, sanitation or safety issues, R Schmidt, Kern Fire Safe Council like states, counties and cities. or is of a confidential na-ture, please con- I recently saw an article in the local 3. Kern County now has a Fire Safe tact the Business Office immediately at newspaper about home hardening sug- Council, and our Mt. Communities have a 661-242-3788. Thank you! gesting financial assistance should be a local Chapter of that Council. A Fire Safe responsibility of the PMCPOA or local Council is a grassroots coalition of local COMPLIMENT governments. The article also stated the communities along with public- and pri- • Thank you once again to the Condor PMCPOA should be following up with vate-sector organizations with the com- Cafe for some excellent Friday/Saturday FEMA to apply for funding. I wanted to mon interest of wildfire prevention and dinner menu items! The Portobello Mush- follow up on this OpEd with a few points: loss mitigation. The goal is to save lives and reduce property losses by making room Ravioli was delightful and also veg- 1. Home hardening is not the respon- communities fire safe. etarian -- we eat meat sometimes, but tru- sibility of the Association, or govern- ly appreciate the vegetarian option. Also, ment agencies. It is the responsibility of 4. Fire Safe Councils do apply for grants the Sicilian Arancini Rice Balls were very the homeowner. Home hardening, along and we are always looking for grants to tasty and that is A LOT of food for such with creating defensible space, is proven help our communities. KFSC has recently a low price -- good show. Curbside pick- to save property. The PMCPOA is creating applied for a grant, which would provide up continues to be quick and easy; this defensible space on our commonly owned tools and equipment for chipper days to works. greenbelts. It is our individual responsibil- create defensible space within our commu- Response: Thank you for the won- ity as homeowners to do that on our own nities. We will continue to apply for grants. derful compliment. Our Food and Bev- property, which goes together with home Join the Kern Fire Safe Council, or the local Mt. Pinos Chapter. Help make our community safer from wildfire. Check out our webpage at kernfiresafe. California Energy Contractors org to get information on home hardening, Est. 1999, License #B769663 creating defensible space and disaster pre- Celebrating 20th Anniversary with 20% off on all our work! paredness. We have resources from SCE, Fire Adapted Communities Lists (in) Cali- We specialize in: fornia and more. * Roofs * Double Pane Windows & Doors Check out our Facebook page, at facebook.com/kernfiresafe. * Exterior Paint * HVAC * Walk-in-Tubs Join us on March 23 at 5 p.m. for our defensible space webinar with Kern Coun- Call for a free estimate: (800) 574-3006 ty Fire Department and So. Cal Edison. www.Cal-Energy.com Sign up at [email protected] Mention Pine Mountain Club for your 20% coupon Join us on April’s webinar with West- ern Propane on propane tank safety. -10- MARCH 2021

-11- MARCH 2021 Convenient Clip-Out Condor Cafe Breakfast Menus Because some members do not access the cafe menus on the website, we received a request to publish the Cafe breakfast and lunch menus in the Condor. Next month, lunch menus will be published. We hope this is helpful.

-12- MARCH 2021

-13- MARCH 2021 ‘NATURE’ Continued from page 3 and Bernina Drive sections of PMC. The best access on foot is on the Water Com- or destroyed. Wetlands are now protected pany service road beginning on Mil Potero by State and Federal laws. The PMCPOA Highway (near Woodland Drive intersec- is doing an excellent job of protecting our tion) and ending at Freeman Drive. A por- Photo 9: rather special and unique wetlands. tion of it is the so-called Snowflake Trail. Evening There are small bits of wetland vegeta- It is a very pleasant walk, covering almost primrose tion, often called cienegas, throughout the one mile each way, but climbing 400 feet. mountains of Ventura and Santa Barbara The third wetland region in PMC is Counties and the Tehachapi Mountains. the least visited and most difficult to ac- But there is no equivalent in size or biodi- cess. Many residents may not even realize versity of our Mil Potrero wetlands. Potre- it exists. This wetland is in the eastern por- ro is a Spanish word meaning pasture; it is tion of PMC. It begins near the intersec- also used to describe certain mountain el- tion of Mil Potrero Highway and Voltaire evated meadows. Mil can mean one thou- Drive and proceeds eastward beyond Yel- sand in Spanish, but the more likely ori- lowstone Drive. It is north and below Mil gin of the word used here is a shortened Potrero Highway, and is out-of-sight from form of mill. There has been logging in the the road. This is the location of the Jim vicinity of PMC in the past, and we have Whitener ponderosa pine, our largest, and Sawmill Peak as a tribute to that history. probably, oldest tree (400 years+) in PMC The wetlands of PMC are divided into (Photo 8). There is no developed trail to three distinct regions. One region is the this region. section visible on the north side of Mil The Mil Potrero Wetlands have their Potrero Highway between Fern’s Lake own diversity of plants, and are visited by Photo 10: Monarch butterfly on and the lower end of Nesthorn Way. That much of our wildlife. I see bear and deer narrow-leaf milkweed section is one mile long and never more scat frequently on my jaunts. Spring and than 400 feet wide. It can be accessed on summer, when the willows are popping foot from the dirt fire road at Fern’s Lake out with catkins and leaves, the yerba san- next to the archery range that heads down ta (Lizard’s Tail) is blooming and the large the canyon towards Nesthorn Drive. It is deer grass clumps are greening out, are ex- a great walk from Fern’s Lake, but one cellent seasons to visit (Photos 9 & 10). must remember it is uphill coming back, One may also find small orchids, blue as- and can get quite hot in the summer. As ters and goldenrod. Many bird species can one walks downhill, the wetlands are on be heard and seen. This precious wetland the right. jewel is completely within PMC property, A second region is a scattered group of and is currently being well protected with- narrow wetlands in the Woodland Drive in our green belts.

Complete Licensed Tree Service Arborist Lewis W. Larmon Lic. #852182 D49 Insured and bonded 661-242-2979 Lot Clearing and Firewood Tree Treament and Fire Code Clearance

-14- MARCH 2021 Transfer Site Hours: COMMITTEE MEETINGS 8:30am - 5pm Daily All committees are meeting via Zoom, or are dark. Reminders Please check with each committee for current details A reminder that our Transfer about the meetings. site is strictly for PMC Monday, March 1 (First Monday) residents/guests and tenants. 4:30pm Communications ZOOM Please bring your Member or Tuesday, March 2 (First Tuesday) Guest card. ON HOLD Equestrian Equestrian Center Only three vehicles are Thursday, March 4 (First Thursday) allowed into the site at a time. ON HOLD Recreation Lounge All other cars will wait outside Friday, March 5 (First Friday) the gate. When one car leaves 10am Greens and Grounds Driving Range another car may come in. 2 pm Environmental Control ZOOM Please do not leave your car while waiting in line and walk Saturday, March 6 (First Saturday) into the site. We do this for 9 am Governing Documents ZOOM social distancing and that 1 pm Planning ZOOM defeats the purpose. Please Saturday, March 13 (Second Saturday) be patient and wait your turn DARK Emergency Preparedness Condor Room into the site. DARK CERT Condor Room Please secure your trash Wednesday, March 17 (Wednesday Before Board Mtg) before heading to the Transfer 5 pm Budget & Finance ZOOM Site. There has been an Saturday, March 20 (Third Saturday) increase in trash along the 10 am PMCPOA Board of Directors Mtg. ZOOM side of our roads from trash flying out the back of vehicles going to the Transfer Site. Reminder: Have you ordered Property Addresses: your new (blue) guest cards yet? Let’s keep our roads clean. The property address must be Please call the business office, clearly marked on your home ext. 225, to put in your request. or a sign post and be visible ‘MESSAGE’ Cont. from page 6 Last year’s green guest cards from the road for emergency are no longer valid. responders. on Saturday, March 13, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Members will then be able to see a presentation on Zoom of the first Richie’s Plumbing draft budget. New Construction/ Many of our members are receiving Remodel/ Repairs their first and second COVID vaccines and scheduling their appointments. Congratu- Hydronic/ Radiant Heating lations! It looks like others will soon be el- More than 30 years igible to start scheduling their shots, and in business in PMC we look forward to the continued process California Contractors to move past this pandemic. We are also License #604332 looking forward to the day when we will be able to open up the clubhouse and new 661-242-1390 pool and start socializing again, and I can’t [email protected] wait. Wear a mask and be safe! -15-