Groundhog Day, Rainy Days, Happy Days

The groundhog has spoken, and we're supposed to have six more weeks of winter. However, if you look closely, leaves are beginning to sprout, and soon enough it will be spring!

We celebrated the end of the year with the completion of the park just inside the gate. It is beautiful in daylight as well as at night, as we had the Diggin' Dutchman install lights on the lovely old olive tree. The dry creek adds some nice interest and breaks up all the grass. You'll notice we tucked a park bench back against the fence.

All the parks have trash cans and notice boards, located near the mailboxes. Please be sure to check the message boards for special announcements, and use the trash cans just for trash. There special receptacles for dog waste at each park. Please do not put dog waste in the large park waste cans! Your neighbors have volunteered to empty those trash cans, and they have been unpleasantly surprised to find smelly doggie-doo instead of paper those cans.

Speaking of dogs, a reminder: Dogs are to be leashed at all times in the neighborhood. Your neighbors will thank you for your consideration.

Your Board has been busy since last December's homeowner board meeting. We have met with Elizabeth to discuss roles and responsibilities. We've also been keeping an eye on the neighborhood and grounds.

This past week the tree trimmers were busy, trimming the oaks in the main park, the cypresses, and the trees along Akers and Goshen Avenue.  This is the time of year to prune your own trees -- or have them done professionally. Brian Kemp, a Visalia arborist, recently told my sister that young trees are like young children: they need to be trained and shaped during the early years so they will grow properly for many years!

With all the rain we've had lately, we've been pleased to see that the gutters are working properly. Thanks for keeping the gutters clear of debris so they can do their job. Speaking of rain, please turn off your sprinkler systems. The lawns don't need the additional water. And when you do turn them back on, please check to make sure they are watering your lawns, not the street or your driveway.

As warmer weather comes, along with it comes that urge to get out and spruce up our homes and yards. A good place to start is with your gates and fences. Homeowners have a responsibility to maintain their fences and gates that face the street. A good time to apply a fresh coat of stain is just after the rain and cold. Lawns appreciate a dose of pre-emergent weed control and some fertilizer.

We have a lovely neighborhood...let's keep it that way!

Park it!

Welcome to the blog for residents of the Villas at Bella Sera! This is your place to check for information on happenings in our neighborhood; to get to know your neighbors; to find out when meetings are scheduled and what committees need your help.

First, a reminder: This Saturday, September 26,  is Movie Night in the Park. “Seabiscuit” is a great film, suitable for all audiences. You may have seen the flyers posted on the mailboxes. Maxine and Joyce were out in a golf cart, distributing flyers last weekend. Bring your own chair and something to drink and have a great time with your neighbors. Time: 7pm.  Typical of our homeowners, Joyce and Helen were out this morning, making sure the park was clean and tidy for tonight. In fact, I caught them with their bucket and broom as they finished up this morning!

Joyce and Helen are just some of the residents who take an active interest in what goes on here at the Villas.  You may have noticed that our parks have all been spiffed up in the last few weeks. Your Landscape Committee was hard at work, long before you saw any results. First, we had to make a plan and take it to the Villas HOA to get approval and funding for the project. The committee had to order the tables, benches and trash cans. We had to find contractors to pour the cement pads for the arbors, benches and tables. Terry Weinert has been terrific about finding prospective contractors and getting them to submit bids for the work.  Our committee, chaired by Terry, was composed of several members: Arlene Johns, Board President; Tom Biscotti, Board Vice President; Claudia Duarte, and yours truly, Susan Pasquini, committee secretary. We couldn't have done all the work, though, without help from others. The day the arbors went up, several homeowners staked out a spot in the shade of Ramona & Ernie McCowan's driveway to "supervise the work going on across the street.

Speaking of good times in the park, you may have noticed that our parks have been spruced up with benches, arbors, trees and flowers. The members of the Landscaping Committee developed designs for each of the parks and worked with landscapers to make the designs reality. We want the parks to be usable for everyone. You may notice that the Pianosa Park has a handicap-accessible sidewalk. The Cortona Park has an arbor at one end, but we left lots of open area for those touch football games and Frisbee throws. There are trash cans in each park area, and your neighbors have volunteered to be in charge of emptying them each week.

When the tables and benches arrived, Henry Pasquini, Ernie McCowan and Tom Biscotti put the tables together and placed them in the main park.

The corner park, facing the entrance gates, will be completed when Centex/Pulte hands over the final phase of the Villas to our homeowner association. That will happen soon after the final home is sold in the Villas.

We hope ALL residents will be able to enjoy the parks. If you want to "reserve" a park for a private party, make the request about a week ahead of time by emailing or calling Elizabeth Shellworth at Kocal Management. She will notify a Park Committee member who will meet with you before and after your event.