November 2010 - Newsletter Website

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November 2010 Enjoying the Active life in Beautiful Palm Springs Volume 5, Issue 11
Newsletter Web Site
Focus Photo Gallery
August Calendar
Open House
Board and
Committee
Members
Directors:
Ken Wong
President
Diana Grace
Secretary
Joan Lopeman
Treasurer
John Papazian
Four Seasons at
Palm Springs
Second Annual Open House
November 13, 2010
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
EPP Silent Auction
Neighborhood Watch
Rules and Regulations Committee
Rainbow Group
Arts and Crafts Sale
Social Committee Bake Sale
Gate Access Committee
Afan‟s Bistro

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The Board
Meeting
Schedule
for 2010 is:
The Board is going to an 8
week schedule for Regular
Board Meetings and will have
an Executive Meeting between
each Board Meeting.
October 27 - Executive
December 1- Board &
Executive Session
December 29 - Executive
All meetings are on
Wednesday at 12:00 PM
If you have questions or if your group wants to participate, you
should contact Lyn Wright at 760-318-1088 or lynwright@mac.com.
If you are a resident and wish to participate in the Craft sale you
should contact Judy Crotts at 760-320-6195 or
jccrotts@hotmail.com or Marylyn Willour at 760-318-3622 or
mlw0427@aol.com.
Afan’s Bistro will be hosting an “all you can eat” taco bar with beans
and rice for $9.00 inclusive.
If you would like to donate items for the Emergency Preparedness
Plan you can contact Jim Crotts at 760-320-6195 or
jccrotts@hotmail,com . All proceeds from the silent auction will be
used to purchase safety equipment or supplies for our community.
Last year they raised enough money to purchase a generator.
We will also be giving flu shots.
Four Seasons at
Palm Springs
Second Annual
Open House
If you are a resident, put this date on your calendar and come to the
Lodge and see how much good your neighbors are doing for our
community. You will also meet a lot of people who spend enjoyable
time in the Lodge doing almost everything imaginable.

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Architectural
Chairperson:
Donald Richroath
Vice Chairperson:
Judy Crotts
Secretary:
Vicki Knab
Margo Hobkirk
Robert Saenz
Board Liaison:
Joan Lopeman
Finance
Chairperson:
Vice Chairperson:
Bill Roberts
Secretary:
Rick Hobkirk
Deborah Belknap
Jim Wetton
Board Liaison:
Joan Lopeman
Annual Toy Drive By: Cindy Hayworth
The holidays are approaching and we will be
having our annual Toy Drive for underprivileged
children in Palm Springs. We do this in
conjunction with the Palm Springs Fire Department
and have had wonderful success in
previous years. The guys at the fire department
are so appreciative, as are the families
we are able to help. Be thinking of others
when you are out shopping this season and
you might find things on sale. Don‟t forget
the teens and pre-teens too. Please bring
your toys to the Lodge starting November 6,
2010. Thank you for your generosity.
Fun and Fitness
By: Cindy Hayward
Dan Donahue will be giving a fitness
equipment demonstration at our Open
House on Saturday, November 13, 2010.
If you have been planning to get in shape
before the holidays or plan to eat yourself
silly on Thanksgiving and then come down
to work it off, now is the time to join Dan
in the Fitness Center for some instruction on the use of the equipment
and develop a workout plan with an experienced personal
trainer. This is a free service so take advantage of his knowledge
and skill. Walk in for your own individual talk and lesson from
Dan.

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Community Access
Control Committee
Chairperson:
Dick Jewel
Vice Chairperson:
Roger Conway
Bill Combs
Dick Jewell
Ross Willour
Dick Bergstrom
Armand Rouleau
Chet Panique
Board Liaison:
Diana Grace
Rules and
Regulations
Chairperson:
Robyn Maceri
Vice Chairperson:
Glen Lockhart
Secretary:
Roger Ball
Gloria Kapp
Jeanne Blackburn
Board Liaison:
Joan Lopeman
The following is a summary of the September 22nd Board meeting:
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT:
HOA legal action: Our Board is very proactive in pursuing the HOA‟s
legal rights as far as delinquent assessments and violations of our governing
documents.
The Board has retained legal counsel to pursue Alternative Dispute
Resolution with four homeowners. Three cases involve delinquent assessments,
in which two of the homeowners owe more than $5,000
each. In both instances the owners have tenants who have been in the
houses since it was purchased, but they have never paid assessments.
The other case involves a homeowner who refuses to comply with our
governing documents set in the architectural guidelines.
Homeowners should be aware that the Board will not hesitate to seek
any and all legal remedies available to us to pursue homeowners who
fail to comply with our governing documents or are delinquent in their
assessments.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disputes: The Board and Euclid Management
Company are often called on to handle neighbor-to-neighbor disputes.
These disputes sometimes involve bizarre or threatening behavior.
Recent complaints have been so numerous that the Board has
contacted the police department and our in-house legal counsel
for advice on how to handle these issues. Both the police and counsel
agree that the Board and Euclid Management have no police power. If
you encounter any problems with a homeowner that you feel are
threatening, the Board urges you to immediately call 911. In all other
instances call the police non-emergency number, 760 327-1441, to
make a report and/or request an officer to respond. The police have
the ability to investigate and, if necessary, take action to relieve the
apparent threat.
HOA lawsuit against K.Hovnanian for common area construction defects:
The discovery process has concluded, and we have been involved
in mediation with the attorneys for KHOV. Any offers from
KHOV have been rejected since they would not compensate us for
damages. Our counsel has now petitioned the court for a trial date;
however, it is our belief that KHOV will be seeking binding arbitration.
We hope to have more information on the status of the lawsuit at the
January 19th annual meeting.

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Landscape
Chairperson:
Cy Hegerich
Vice Chairperson:
Deanna Sparks
Secretary:
Pat Ellerd
Chase Burke
James Fogarty
Board Liaison:
Ken Wong
Newsletter
Editor:
Ed Knab
Treasurer:
David Grinnell
Secretary:
Jim Wetton
Reporter:
Jan Howell
Copy Editor:
Arline Steiner
Photo Editor:
Victor Ranieri
BOARD COMPOSITION: The Board accepted the resignations of
Mike Rothnie and John Miskell, both KHOV-appointed members.
Diana Grace was appointed as Vice-President to fill the vacancy created
by Mike Rothnie‟s resignation.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Architectural Committee: By consensus, the Board approved the
recommended revised template letters regarding the Architectural
Committee.
Community Access Control Committee: Strobe lights have been
installed at the east and west resident gates which will allow the gates
to open in response to the flashing lights on emergency vehicles before
they reach the Knox box at each gate.
Please be advised that the gates will remain open for 12 minutes
to allow an ambulance access to the Community after fire department
personnel enter.
Community Services Committee: Bruce Medbery and Steven Pinney
were appointed to the Committee.
Ad Hoc Data Integrity Committee: The Committee is in need of a
member.
Emergency Preparedness Committee: The Leadership Team of the
EPC is in desperate need of members. This Committee is vital to the
well-being and safety of our Community in the event of a major disaster.
We cannot let this Committee be disbanded. Please consider
applying for the Leadership Team.
Facilities Committee: The Committee reported that the shade cover
for the patio pergola outside the Ballroom has been installed, and the
response has been very favorable.
Board Liaison:
Ken Wong

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Social
Chairperson:
Roger Ball
Vice Chairperson:
Deanna Sparks
Secretary:
Pat Ellerd
Michele Fuller
Robert Saenz
Marian Martinez
Chris DiDieu
Linda Wright
Board Liaison:
Diana Grace
Facilities
Chairperson:
James Fogarty
Vice Chairperson:
Craig Silver
Secretary:
Edward Knab
Mark T. Dolan
Tom Alexander
Craig Silver
Tony Ellerd
Marty Hays
Board Liaison:
Ken Wong
Ad Hoc Nominating Committee: Tony Ellerd was appointed as
the Co-Inspector of Election for the District Delegate elections.
The Board approved the request of the Committee for funds for
refreshments following the December 4th Candidate Forum.
Social Committee: The Board approved the request of the Committee
to purchase indoor and outdoor holiday decorations.
Ad Hoc Transition Committee: The Board approved the recommendations
of the Committee (a) for a boot camp training session
at the orientation for new Board members after the January
election; (b) the 2011 Level II Reserve Study; (c) the 2011 budget;
and (d) funding for copying and mailing the Final Report of the
Committee to all homeowners. The Committee was disbanded as
all of the responsibilities enumerated in its Charter were fulfilled.
COMMITTEE RESIGNATIONS: The Board would like to extend
its thanks and appreciation to Marty Hays for her service on the
Facilities Committee.
MANAGEMENT REPORT:
(a) The First Notice of the Annual meeting and Board election,
together with the Candidate Application were mailed on September
10th. Candidate Applications are due no later than October
31st.
(b) The Board approved a proposal to repair the four remaining
columns at the west pool pergola area.
(c) Four benches were installed in the recreation area, two at the
shuffleboard courts and two at the bocce ball courts.
NEW BUSINESS:
(a) The Board referred the development of guidelines for flyer
distribution to the Rules and Regulations Committee.
(b) The Board approved the Annual Budget Disclosure Package
that will be mailed to all homeowners. Included in the package is
a notice regarding the availability of the Annual Facility Inspection
Report for review by homeowners at the Lodge. A copy of the
Inspection Report will be available at a reasonable cost.
(c) The Board approved the request of Afan‟s Bistro to open for
Thanksgiving dinner.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING: The next Board meeting
will be held on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010, at 12:00
noon in the Lodge Ballroom. Come on down and join your
neighbors to see what‟s happening in the „hood.‟

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Transition
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Chairperson:
Diana Grace
Secretary:
Dick Jewell
James Fogarty
Bill Gombos
Aaron Hardy:
Khov Representative
Emergency
Preparedness
Project Coordinator:
Jim Crotts
Asst. Coordinator:
Gary Cooper
Inventory:
Cal Rahmann
Secretary:
Edward Knab
Janna Joos
Vicki Knab
Ross Willour
Mel Shoemaker
Board Liaison:
Diana Grace
Important Date! Mark Your Calendars!
HOA Board of Directors Candidate Forum
Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 2:00 PM, Lodge Ballroom
An important election for our community. Build-out has occurred.
Residents will be electing 5 (five) Board members for the first time.
Forum Agenda, Introductions,
Candidates, Opening Statements
Questions For Candidates, Closing Statements
Social Hour and Meet and Greet Time
Complete Details In December Focus

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Community Profile:
Sal Mistretta
by: Jan Howell
Did you want to be on stage, in the movies or on television when you were a
kid? Our Four Seasons neighbor Sal Mistretta did and he is one of the few who actually
fulfilled that dream. From early childhood he saw the bright lights showing him his
path. Did his parents have any idea that he cut class to see matinees on Broadway? Did he
have any idea when he received his BFA in Theatre and a BS in Radio/ TV from Ithaca College
how much excitement awaited him? Probably not!
During a career that began before he was 20, Sal has played
opposite some major stars: Lauren Bacall, Dyan Cannon, Glenn
Close, Mareitte Hartley, George Hearn, Madeline Kahn, Kevin Kline, Mandy Patinkin. Angela Lansbury
, Patti LuPone, Audra Macdonald, Mary Louise Parker, Stephanie Powers, Faith Prince and
many others. He has also managed to perform in just about every acting medium possible from
television commercials and guest shots to regional theater on and off Broadway, and national
tours. He has picked up a few honors and Awards along the way for his performances in CATS, THE FIX and PHANTOM
OF THE OPERA.
It is difficult for Sal to say which medium he prefers but he does love the energy of live stage musicals and the
instant audience feedback. However, the fact that you can communicate so much more subtly
on television is a huge plus. He enjoys playing a good role with some humor and singing.
“Acting informs the singing”; is essential to making the singing accepted and understood.
He credited Glenn Close with saying that she is not the one singing; it is the character
who is singing.
Coworkers are an important part of any job and Sal feels that one of the best things
about being an actor is the amazing people with whom you work. The Prima Donna is rare;
most people are in the business because they love it. They want to be professional and enjoy themselves at the same
time. When you love your work, you easily enjoy it. Sal also has a lot of respect and praise for those who design, construct
and maintain sets and costumes.
Although Sal absolutely loves acting, he says that it is not all “glitter and glitz”. If you are doing Broadway, you
have no opportunity to have dinner with friends and go out and see
OTHER shows! Scheduling your life around your work is frequently offputting.
You are constantly auditioning and have to live with the disappointments
of not getting all of the roles that you would like. Then
there are the frustrations of last minute script changes, wardrobe issues,
the pesky travel hassles and constantly being told what to do by those
directors!
Sal plans to use his acting skills and experience here in the Palm
Springs area helping others to improve their craft, working with aspiring
actors and perhaps he can find time to present a Lecture/Master Class
series similar to his acclaimed program at Ithaca College. Want to know
more about Sal? Check out his website: www.Salmistretta.com.

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Giving Thanks
by: David Grinnell
Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, currently celebrated on the fourth Thursday in
November, has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863. Thanksgiving
was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God.
It is thought that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated to give thanks to God for
helping the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony survive their first brutal winter in New England.
The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days providing enough food for 53 pilgrims
and 90 Native Americans. The feast consisted of fowl, venison, fish, lobster,
clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash. William Bradford's note that, "besides waterfowl, there was great
store of wild turkeys, of which they took many," probably gave rise to the American tradition of eating turkey at
Thanksgiving.
The modern Thanksgiving holiday traces its origins from this 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation.
This was continued in later years, first as an impromptu religious observance, and later as a civil tradition.
Squanto, a Patuxet Native American who resided with the Wampanoag tribe, taught the Pilgrims how to
catch eel and grow corn and served as an interpreter for them (Squanto had learned English while enslaved in
Europe and during travels in England). Additionally the Wampanoag leader Massasoit had caused food stores to
be donated to the fledgling colony during the first winter when supplies brought from England were insufficient.
The Pilgrims set apart a day to celebrate at Plymouth immediately after their first harvest, in 1621. At the
time, this was not regarded as a Thanksgiving observance; harvest festivals existed in English and Wampanoag
tradition alike. Several colonists gave personal accounts of the 1621 feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first
Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America: (continued next page)

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Giving Thanks (continued)
by: David Grinnell
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be
grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection
and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their
joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of
the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be
observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal
favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity
peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety
and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday
the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People
of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being,
who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or
that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our
sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming
a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence,
which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union,
and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled
to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One
now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of
acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath
been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions,
to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties
properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a
Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect
and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with
good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue,
and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of
temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day
of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Thanksgiving was originally a religious observance for all the members of the community to give thanks to
God for a common purpose. Historic reasons for community thanksgivings are the 1541 thanksgiving mass
after the expedition of Coronado safely crossing part of Texas and finding game, and the 1777 thanksgiving
after the victory in the revolutionary battle of Saratoga. In his 1789 Proclamation, President Washington gave
many noble reasons for a national Thanksgiving, including “for the civil and religious liberty,” for “useful
knowledge,” and for God‟s “kind care” and "His Providence." The only presidents to inject a specifically Christian
focus to their proclamation have been Grover Cleveland in 1896, and William McKinley in 1900. Several
other presidents have cited the Judeo-Christian tradition. Gerald Ford's 1975 declaration made no clear reference
to any divinity.
The tradition of giving thanks to God is continued today in various forms. Various religious and spiritual
organizations offer services and events on Thanksgiving themes the weekend before, the day of, or the weekend
after Thanksgiving.

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LADIES BOOK CLUB NEWS
By Connie Richroath
THANKSGIVING
by Florence Earle Coates
The Book Club met on October 26 to discuss, “To
Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee selected by
member Anne Ransom.
This book concerns a lawyer in the Deep
South who is defending a black man charged with
the rape of a while girl.
NOW gracious plenty rules the board,
And in the purse is gold;
By multitudes in glad accord
Thy giving is extolled.
Ah, suffer me to thank Thee, Lord,
For what thou dost withhold!
I thank Thee that howe‟er we climb
There yet is something higher;
That though through all our reach of time
We to the stars aspire,
Still, still beyond us burns sublime
The pure sidereal fire!
I thank Thee for the unexplained,
The hope that lies before,
The victory that is not gained,—
O Father, more and more
I thank Thee for the unattained,
The good we hunger for!
I thank Thee for the voice that sings
To inner depths of being;
For all the spread and sweep of wings,
From earthly bondage freeing;
For mystery—the dream of things
Beyond our power of seeing!
One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a
Mockingbird has earned many distinctions since its
original publication in 1960. It won the Pulitzer
Prize, has been translated into more than forty languages.
The book has sold more than thirty million
copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously
popular movie. Most recently, librarians
across the country gave the book the highest
of honors by voting it the best novel of the twentieth
century.
Our upcoming November book selection is “The
Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. This was selected
by member, Nancy McTavish for discussion
on November 23.
Fascinating fiction and non-fiction books are
the focus of our book selections.
Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday
of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Lodge Library.
Hope to see you at our next meeting!

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Newsletter Link
Having trouble opening or printing your newsletter that you receive through email? It
is easiest to go to Internet Explorer, or whatever browser you use and copy and paste
the link below into the address area at the top of the page underneath the "back" arrow
(←). It says "address” and has an area to copy an address like the one below or to
replace an existing address.
http://palmspringsfocusnewsletter.books.officelive.com/default.aspx
Click on the green arrow pointing right or any other icon enabling you to go to that
website. Once in the Four Seasons Focus website, you can click on the underlined locations
in the brown edge. By clicking the "Print Newsletter" you can print a PDF
(Portable Document File) version of the newsletter that will fit on your regular printer
paper. It will also take you to a page where you can print a "Print Version of the Calendar."
This will give you a readable copy of the current calendar. Also, this calendar may
have changes made to it during the month so you can always get an updated version
here. This readout of the newsletter will also allow you to read the newsletter on-line
without having to use the lower scroll bar that goes left to right. Next, save this website
in your "Favorites." While still in the website with the newsletter on the screen,
double click on your "Favorites" symbol. When you do that, a list (or the first one will
be this web address) will appear at the left top area of the screen. Click on "Add" and
type in “Four Seasons Newsletter" or whatever name you would like to give it.
This way, when you go to Internet Explorer the next time you want to look at the
newsletter, you can just click on that name in that list and it will automatically go to
that page at that address. You won't have to type in the link and you can check to see
when the next newsletter has been published.
If you need help, call the staff at The Lodge or come in for some training.

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FINANCE COMMITTEE NEWS
By: Bill Roberts
The end of September marks three fourths of the Financial year for the
Homeowners Association. For that period there is a surplus from operations
of nearly $53,000. Unfortunately in this transient year there have
been many unpredictable expenses especially in the area of legal costs.
These will continue. So while it is likely that the year will end with somewhat
of a surplus; the HOA must be cautious with our funds until this
period of change is finally put to rest.
In addition to our regular meetings and work, the Finance Committee
worked in separate meetings to propose
a Budget for FY 2011. This work was completed in late August and given to
the Ad Hoc Transition Committee to review. Special thanks is due to Nancy Johnson
and Joan Lopeman for their hard work. And also to Kathleen Weir for her
management of this group.
The Finance Committee has to thank two individuals who have recently resigned.
David Alpert in August and Kathleen Weir in September. For all their hard work
and individual financial perspectives, the committee and also all homeowners owe
them a sincere thank you.
Since our committee is now down to four members, we are seeking additional
new members from the community. If you have a back ground or experience in
finance or accounting (whether a CFI of a major corporation to a bookkeeper for your own business), think about
putting your insights and perspectives to work.

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Fueling Danger
by: Tom Williams
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile
phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fuelling a car. In the first case, the phone was
placed on the car's trunk lid during fuelling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and
the gasoline pump. In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to his face when fumes
ignited as he answered a call while refueling his car! In the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as
fumes ignited when the phone, which was in a pocket, rang while they fueling their car.
You should know that: Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes. Mobile phones that light up when switched on
or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition. Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations,
or when fuelling lawn mowers, boat, etc.
Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or
explosive fumes or dust, (i.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.)
TO sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refueling:
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fuelling.
Veteran's Day
November 11, 2010
Thursday, November 11th is Veteran's
Day and The Lodge will be having its bi-annual
flag raising. Please meet at the flag pole in the
front of The Lodge at 2:00 pm for a moving
ceremony and music to honor the men and
women who have served our country.
We'll have cake and coffee after the
ceremony and time for socializing. If you are a
veteran, please make sure to join us. Family,
friends and guests are all welcome.
Four Seasons Salon and Spa
Get Ready for the Holidays!
For first time clients, receive 50% off
new color. Returning clients receive
30% off. Complimentary deep conditioning
treatment with a blow dry and style.
Look your best this holiday season.
November 1st to November 30th.