september 2020 published monthly by niguel shores ......sep 08, 2020  · september 2020 published...

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FROM THE HELM W e are all in uncharted waters as we continue to navi- gate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic. Niguel Shores continues to be fortunate that we have not had any neg- ative economic impact affect our association to date. With the pandemic far from over, we will continue to take a conserva- tive approach in our spending while still maintaining our asso- ciation at the high levels we have all come to expect. Recreational Amenities At the last Board meeting on August 12, the Board was presented with a proposal from the Recreational Amenities Ad Hoc Committee for funding to take the next steps in the process of upgrading and adding to the amenities offered in our community. The proposal was for a design service that would develop a conceptual master plan for the Association based on the commu- nity input earlier this year, as well as costing for the project. The funding was not approved at this time due to the economic uncertainties of COVID-19. The Board did request that the proposal should be re-submitted after the first of next year at a time when COVID-19 is under control and the economic uncertainties are not an issue. We want to thank the committee members for their hard work. Hopefully, by early next year, we can again revisit the proposal from the Recreational Amenities Ad Hoc Committee. Dogs Off Leash We have many resident families with dogs. We recognize how important these pets are in our lives, but we do have a problem with dogs running off of their leash in our common areas, particularly at the beach bluff. This has become a community safety issue as even the most kind and friendly dog can become too friendly and accidently trip someone and cause significant injury. Dogs can also become aggressive when other dogs are in the area. This is why we have rules that require all dogs to be on a leash under control of their owner at all times when in any public area throughout our community. This is for the safety of your pet as well as others and is a way of being respectful to all that live here in Niguel Shoes. We will be strictly enforcing this rule, so help us in enjoying our pets while acknowledging the safety of our neighbors. —Bob Russell September 2020 Published Monthly by Niguel Shores Community Association Issue 561 LOOK INSIDE! PAGES 4-5 NSCA Committee Reports PAGES 6-7 NSCA Financial Report PAGES 10-12 Home Sweet Home: Remodeling in Niguel Shores SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETINGS These meetings may be conducted online or socially distanced in person. Watch your email for details as we begin a new club season this month. Men’s Club: Tuesday, September 3 and 17 Women’s Club: Thursday, September 10 Page Turners Book Club: Thursday, September 24 Fal l is ju st around the corn er as summer ends with t hes e spectacular sun set s.

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Page 1: September 2020 Published Monthly by Niguel Shores ......Sep 08, 2020  · September 2020 Published Monthly by Niguel Shores Community Association Issue 561 LOOK INSIDE! PAGES 4-5 NSCA

FROM THE HELM We are all in uncharted waters as we continue to navi-

gate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic. Niguel Shores continues to be fortunate that we have not had any neg-ative economic impact affect our association to date. With the pandemic far from over, we will continue to take a conserva-tive approach in our spending while still maintaining our asso-ciation at the high levels we have all come to expect.

Recreational AmenitiesAt the last Board meeting on August 12, the Board was presented with a proposal from the Recreational Amenities Ad Hoc Committee for funding to take the next steps in the process of upgrading and adding to the amenities offered in our community. The proposal was for a design service that would develop a conceptual master plan for the Association based on the commu-nity input earlier this year, as well as costing for the project. The funding was not approved at this time due to the economic uncertainties of COVID-19. The Board did request that the proposal should be re-submitted after the first of next year at a time when COVID-19 is under control and

the economic uncertainties are not an issue. We want to thank the committee members for their hard work. Hopefully, by early next year, we can again revisit the proposal from the Recreational Amenities Ad Hoc Committee.

Dogs Off LeashWe have many resident families with dogs. We recognize how important these pets are in our lives, but we do have a problem with dogs running off of their leash in our common areas, particularly at the beach bluff. This has become a community safety issue as even the most kind and friendly dog can become too friendly and accidently trip someone and cause significant

injury. Dogs can also become aggressive when other dogs are in the area. This is why we have rules that require all dogs to be on a leash under control of their owner at all times when in any public area throughout our community. This is for the safety of your pet as well as others and is a way of being respectful to all that live here in Niguel Shoes. We will be strictly enforcing this rule, so help us in enjoying our pets while acknowledging the safety of our neighbors.

—Bob Russell

September 2020 Published Monthly by Niguel Shores Community Association Issue 561

LOOK INSIDE!

PAGES 4-5

NSCA Committee Reports PAGES 6-7

NSCA Financial Report PAGES 10-12

Home Sweet Home: Remodeling in Niguel Shores

SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETINGS

These meetings may be conducted online or socially distanced in person. Watch your email for details as we begin a new club season this month.

Men’s Club: Tuesday, September 3 and 17

Women’s Club: Thursday, September 10

Page Turners Book Club: Thursday, September 24

Fall is just around the corner as summer

ends with these spectacular sunsets.

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www.niguelshores.org2 | Seashore News, September 2020

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NSCA is not responsible for any work done nor are we recommending any of the advertised companies

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www.niguelshores.org Seashore News, September 2020 | 3

Streetlights and Poles

There are 174 streetlights throughout Niguel Shores. We

are currently in the process of re-placing all the street light fixtures and several of the deteriorated poles. This project is being done in phases, with phase 1 being the area from the Beach Bluff and all side streets up to the Community Center. Phase 2 includes most of the Berkus, Sea Terrace II and Villas tracts. The final phase will be done in 2021, and this phase includes the Broadmoor and Sea Terrace I tracts.

The project was supposed to begin in 2019 and take three years to complete; however, with permitting and other issues, we did not begin until early this year. You may see our contractor going through the community and replacing the fixtures at the top of the pole or you may even see them digging large holes to replace the entire pole. As they move through the com-munity, they are also finding additional poles that were not on the original plan to replace. These poles are too damaged to install a new fixture on them so we will be replacing those additional poles. We have also reserved to replace 15 poles per year until the balance of the poles are all replaced. The poles approved for installation are concrete and come with a lifetime warranty.

Master Landscape Plan for Renovation of the SlopesAs part of the final phase of the Master Landscape Plan, the last slopes being renovated are the Windlass slope (along Brigantine) and the Brigantine slope (along Windjammer). The renovation of these slopes should begin the week of September 14. The entire project has taken longer than originally anticipated to complete; however, it is now scheduled for completion with these final slopes. Thank you all so much for your patience throughout this project.

Tree TrimmingTree trimming throughout the community should begin the first part of October and run through to completion in December. Although we have several requests to trim for views, the fall months are the time of year when our community trees are trimmed. Once the tree trimming is completed the trees will not grow much during the

winter months and then you can expect them to come back during the spring. The trimming of our trees will start over again with the same process next fall. Since Niguel Shores has many trees through-out the community, your patience is greatly appreciated during this process. In addition, during the trimming you may want to be aware of the locations and if there is a tree close to your driveway or where you park your car, please move it to allow the trimming to move forward. If there is a car in the way, the tree will be skipped and then

the tree trimmers must come back and trim another day, causing delays. Thank you for your cooperation during this process.

NSCA Board MeetingsUntil further notice all General Session Board meetings will be held via Zoom conferencing. If you are interested in joining the meeting to listen or speak, please email any member of the office staff and we will be happy to provide you with the link to login and enjoy the meeting.

Office ClosureThe Management Office will be closed Monday, September 7, 2020 for the Labor Day Holiday. Also, there will be no construction allowed on this day.

—Marla Miller

“Have a Wonderful Labor Day Holiday”

—From the Niguel Shores Staff

GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT

Board of Directors Action Summary for August, 2020 is posted on the Niguel Shores website at

www.niguelshores.org.

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www.niguelshores.org4 | Seashore News, September 2020

COMMUNICATION/NIGUELSHORES.ORGThe Communication Committee contin-ues to meet each month, albeit via Zoom, to plan, collaborate and gather the articles that comprise our monthly newsletter, the Seashore News.

Committee members are Mike Link (NSCA Board Liaison), Marla Miller (NSCA General Manager), Matt Northrop (NSCA Community Administrator and Staff Liaison), Mike Harrod, Sandy Homicz, Kathy Newport, Michelle Ralph, Patti Staudenbaur, and Meg Wilson.

Delivering the News—In addition to our Committee members, a very dedicated and highly organized group of volunteers meet monthly to collate, count and bag our newsletter for distribution. Even in these unusual times, our residents remain steadfast in their mission to get the Seashore News delivered to your doorstep.

Niguel Shores Website—Please continue to visit our Niguel Shores website at www.niguelshores.org for updates of immediate importance to our community. Matt Northrop does an excellent job of posting not just Niguel Shores information, but information about our Dana Point community as well.

Let Us Hear From You—Readers are invited to email items of community interest to [email protected]. Opinions and comments can be posted on the website under “Post a Comment”.

Join Us—The Communication Committee is always looking for residents who are interested in joining our team and working with us on our award-winning newsletter. We meet the first Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Please con-tact us at [email protected] if you would like to learn more.

—Patti Staudenbaur

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS I'm serving up some options for navigating through this very difficult time. All you have to do is take some notes, if you choose, or simply close your eyes and commit to experimenting with some everyday interactions that will help someone else, but you too.

The magic word for this exercise is KIND. Being KIND is an excellent coping skill for the COVID-19 era. In a time of isolation, kindness fosters connection to others. It helps pro-vide purpose and meaning to our lives, allowing us to put our values into practice. And it diminishes our negative thoughts.

KINDNESS is the ability to give a smile, volunteer, help a neighbor or friend, deliver a needed meal, be a chauf-feur for a medical appointment, call a friend to check in and just chat. It can take just a few minutes and cost nothing

Remember your loved ones. Kindness isn't just for strangers. When you're kind to the people you live with, everyone reports being in a better mood and having more positive emotions.

Don't get discouraged. Sometimes other people don't respond in kind. This doesn't mean they didn't appreciate your effort. Remind yourself of another time it went well. Keep going.

If you want to reap the personal benefits of kindness, be sincere. It also helps to expect good results. In stud-ies, people who believed that kindness was good for them showed a greater increase in positive emotions, satisfaction with life, and feelings of connection with others—as well as greater decrease in negative emotions—than those who did not. Sooo, let's try to be more proactive—not reactive. It will make you feel good about yourself.

Want to feel better? BE KIND. When people are kind, it's a normal progression to lower levels of stress. One feels less depressed, one experiences greater cardiovascular heath, and one becomes physically stronger.

Did I mention this whole process is very simple, and an injection of KINDNESS won't hurt? BUT, being KIND often requires courage and strength. Let's up our game and get through this together.

Just thinking about the words “Emergency Pre-paredness” should remind us to be ready, as much as we can, for whatever uncertain situation might be coming around the corner. Nobody could plan for the hit we’ve taken from the Coronavirus, nor for some of the other unforeseen problems life sends us, but we can learn to BE KIND to each other when handling issues that might arise any time in life.

—Kent Wellbrock

LANDSCAPEThe Landscape Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Members are Lynn Dawson, Sue Forrest, Kathy Jones, Linda Koppang, Karen Linger, Donna Rosecrans, Kathy Samuel, and Bill Walkup.

Each committee member is responsible for walking and inspecting their assigned area in the community and reporting any issues or concerns to NSCA Management and the landscape contractor, Harvest Landscape. Area assignments are as follows, with “At Large” referring to any area that falls outside the member’s assigned area:

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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■ Lynn Dawson – Atlantic Garden Homes ■ Sue Forrest – Shores Garden Homes and At Large ■ Kathy Jones – Berkus Homes ■ Linda Koppang – Villas Homes ■ Karen Linger – Broadmoor Homes and At Large ■ Donna Rosecrans – Custom Homes and Breaker’s Isle ■ Kathy Samuel – Sea Terrace II Townhomes ■ Bill Walkup – Sea Terrace I Townhomes and At Large

—The Landscape Committee

RECREATIONThe fun-loving members of our Recreation Committee meet on the first Wednesday of each month to plan and organize unique events for all the diverse ages and interests in our community. Committee members are Kathy Samuel (Chair), Maria Elena Banks, Rhonda Dunlevie, Suzanne Enis, Chrissy Rausch, Nancy Tinnes, Chris Zoch, and Staff Liaison, Customer Operations Specialist Blayke Miller.

September Events:Bluebird House Scavenger Hunt – Join in the

neighborhood with fun and prizes! Find 9 Bluebird Houses located throughout our neighborhood. Get your map online at http://www.niguelshores.org/community/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Map-of-NSCA.pdf. Mark your map where the houses are located, and return it by September 30 via email to [email protected] for a prize! Or you may call the office to make an appointment to bring in your marked map at (949) 493-0122.

End of Summer Ice Cream Truck – September 11, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! Rio Soft Serve Ice Cream truck will be driving around the community selling ice cream on Friday, September 11. Listen for the ice cream truck music to know when they’re here and come outside. Please, no gatherings and practice social distancing. Cash or credit cards accepted.

Upcoming Events:Halloween Scavenger Hunt – Sunday, October 25,

3:00 to 5:00 p.m. New event! Have a ghouling good time in your best costume while walking throughout the neighbor-hood looking for various Halloween themed items. Meet in the Community Park near the pool at 3:00 p.m. Prizes and candy to follow after the hunt is over at 5:00. Questions? Contact Rhonda Dunlevie at [email protected].

Christmas Market – Saturday, November 14, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Come and enjoy all the crafts and ideas from the community for sale at the outdoor market. Get your

vendor application in the office now if you would like to participate. Only 12 open spots available at $15 each. The event will be located at the Community Center Park. Interested crafters, please contact Nancy Tinnes for more information at (949) 235-2555.

Please continue to be safe and enjoy our community practicing social distancing and wearing your face mask.

—The Recreation Committee

TRAFFIC AND SAFETYTraffic and Safety is a busy committee dealing with issues such as patrol, parking, and safety in the community. Members are Tim Tyson (Chair), Dick Ashworth, Suzanne Enis, Lori McNaught, Tim Murphy, and Jack Webb. Staff Liaison is Karen Decker, Community Association Manager.

At the monthly meeting on August 12, the committee reviewed the following items:

■ Incident reports ■ Rules to curtail abuse of guest parking ■ Tailgaters and subsequent flattened tires at the Selva and

Cabrillo gates ■ Streets used as play areas, thus endangering safety of children ■ Underage and unlicensed drivers, not only violating rules

by operating golf carts but also posing a safety threat to drivers and passengers using our streets

■ Dogs off leash causing safety hazards as well as health concerns when they deposit waste in community areas. Violators of the Dogs Off Leash rule will be subject to a hearing before the Board of Directors. Note: the leash can be no longer than six (6) feet and must be under the control of the owner at all times.

—God bless . . . Tim Murphy

VIEW PRESERVATIONThe View Preservation Committee has the authority to require a homeowner to remove, trim, top, or prune any tree, shrub, or hedge on their property determined by the committee to unreasonably block a view.

The committee meets on the third Monday of every month. At each meeting, the committee evaluates home-owner requests regarding view blockages from plantings on private property.

A site visit is conducted to each property in order for the committee members to view and reach a decision on the matter reported.

Members of the View Preservation Committee are Kathy Jones and Wendy Cubbon (Co-Chairs), Miriam Dough-erty, Cliff Jarmie, Jeannie Sticher, and Diane Young.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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www.niguelshores.org6 | Seashore News, September 2020

NIGUEL SHORES MID-YEAR FINANCIAL UPDATEAS OF JUNE 30, 2020

The Niguel Shores Finance Committee is comprised of six volunteer homeowners and meets on a monthly

basis to review, monitor and make fiscal recommendations on financial issues such as budgets, expenses, investments and reserves. The current members of the Finance Com-mittee are Chair Sue Kichline, Martin Dedrick, Jim Eckstaedt, David Goldberg, Rick Palmer and Jeff Kes-sler. The Niguel Shores General Manager Marla Miller, CFO Marc McCarthy, and Robin Rangel from Mission Financial, attend the Finance Committee meetings. The Committee annually provides owners a mid-year update on the financial results to date including comments on ex-pected year-end variances from budget and ongoing proj-ects. This update includes revenue earned and expenses incurred compared to budget thru June 30, 2020.

This year has been a challenge due to the Coronavirus restrictions on businesses and individuals. The Finance Committee has reviewed the monthly financial statements during Zoom meetings. Although we have experienced some lower than normal expenses due to State mandated safety measures, we have and will continue to incur unex-pected costs such as, plexiglass for the front desk, camera for Zoom meetings, and required cleansers for the patio furniture and other areas. Based on information we have at this time we do not expect the overall impact to be mate-rial. Currently, our quarterly dues delinquency rate has remained low.

We continue to be well funded and appreciate our dedicated staff and all the committee volunteers who help keep our community a wonderful place to live.

The Finance Committee welcomes questions and feed-back on this mid-year update and invites you to submit comments/questions to the attention of the Finance Com-mittee Chair at [email protected].

NIGUEL SHORES INVESTMENTSThe Niguel Shores investments are reviewed by the General Manager, the Board CFO and the Finance Committee. Comerica Securities, Inc. assists in identify-ing appropriate investments to protect principal while maximizing returns. The Finance Committee uses this input and projected future cash needs to make investment recommendations. NSCA’s Investment Policy requires that funds be invested in instruments that are either obli-gations of or guaranteed by the US Government, such as FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp) backed bank accounts, money market funds and certificates of deposit.

Based on results through June 30 and projections for the balance of the year, it is anticipated that full year 2020 interest income from investments will be about $85,000. This year, the interest earned by the Reserve investments will remain in the Reserve account and was not included in the operating budget. Reserve funds are kept separate from day to day operating funds and used for replacing worn out items, such as pool furniture. The current investment port-folio of $5,452,115 includes $1,775,472 in checking and money market accounts for short term expenditures.

REVENUE UPDATE 2020 Budget Earned as of June 30, 2020 $ Remaining anticipated revenue $3,667,176 $1,886,703 $1,780,473

Revenue is primarily made up of quarterly assess-ment fees, which is 93% of total income through June 30, 2020. The balance of revenue items consist of bank inter-est income, newsletter commercial ads, document response (ownership transfer), architecture fees, gate access fees and other miscellaneous income.

Thus far in 2020, revenue has been slightly under bud-get. The pandemic has created issues we could not have anticipated such as cancellations of amenity reservations and fewer fees. Interest rates are now at historic lows. As certificate of deposits mature and we look to re-invest avail-able cash, our returns will continue to be dramatically less than we have historically enjoyed.

For the balance of 2020, it is expected that revenue will be at or somewhat less than budget.

MAINTENANCE BUDGET UPDATE 2020 Budget Spent as of June 30, 2020 $ Remaining $623,238 $277,637 $345,601

The Maintenance financial results are reviewed and monitored on a monthly basis to ensure the needs of the community are met and that costs for repairs are reasonable and within budget guidelines. As the community ages and the amenities and infrastructures are subject to increased usage, the Maintenance Committee and our maintenance staff are always faced with new and unique challenges. The maintenance staff consists of the Facility Manager, three full-time and one part-time employees.

The actual expenditures for the first six months of this year are currently $34,342 under budget primarily due to pool, recreation and janitorial supplies, repairs and salaries

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being less than budget. In addition, utilities, such as gas, water and electricity were less than anticipated due to lower usage of facilities during the Coronavirus pandemic. The one area that exceeded budget during the first six months was the unanticipated purchase of additional dog waste trash cans and doggie bags. It is expected that we will end the year at or below the planned budget (although we con-stantly face the possibility of unplanned expenditures).

LANDSCAPE BUDGET UPDATE 2020 Budget Spent as of June 30, 2020 $ Remaining $1,213,796 $593,642 $689,154

The primary expense in the Landscape Budget is the Harvest Landscape Maintenance contract. This contract went out for bid in 2019 and Harvest was awarded the con-tract. The contract was renewed for 4 years. This contract covers landscape maintenance, including but not limited to mowing, edging, cleaning, weeding, drains, color changes, tree trimming and various other duties.

Water is another large cost in the overall Landscape Budget. We are still doing great on this expense as there was a significant amount of rainfall in the first and second quarter. Water is also something that is hard to determine, but when it rains, we can all appreciate the savings it brings to this budget item.

The Landscape Budget also includes other expenses such as pest control, irrigation repairs, tree removal and/or replacement, routine planting and slope maintenance.

The budget is managed by the General Manager with feedback and updates provided by the Landscape Commit-tee. The Committee representatives review their specific area and report any items of concern. The Landscape Budget is on target for 2020 and is currently a little under budget.

The Master Landscape Plan, which focuses on the large-scale slope renovation and irrigation upgrades, is not included in this budget, but is a part of the Reserve section of this report. This project is slated for completion by the end of this year.

TRAFFIC AND SAFETY BUDGET UPDATE 2020 Budget Spent as of June 30, 2020 $ Remaining $433,823 $ 208,122 $225,701

Patrol service accounts for over 90% of the Traffic and Safety budget, with spending for fobs, decals, surveillance equipment and access control software accounting for most of the remainder. Thus far in 2020, expenses are tracking slightly below budget and full year results are anticipated to be at or close to budget.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET UPDATE 2020 Budget Spent as of June 30, 2020 $ Remaining $1,396,319 $646,874 $749,445

General and Administrative (G&A) expenses include payroll and employee benefits for the staff as well as legal expenses, insurance, taxes, printing, postage, computers and other services required to manage the Association.

Currently, the actual expenses are running slightly under the budgeted amount primarily due to taxes, regular legal, contingency, recreation and salary expenses. Legal expenses incurred from actions related to the revetment of the Breakers Isle slope is currently offset by deferred revenue which was collected in the year 2014. At this time the deferred revenue account has a remaining balance of $84,949.

NIGUEL SHORES RESERVE STUDY UPDATEA detailed review of the Association’s reserves is required every three years by an independent contracted consultant. The independent consultant specializes in performing reserve analysis and provides recommendations. The last detailed independent study on site was completed for 2019. In 2020, that study will be updated for 2021 by a high level review prepared by the independent consultant. The Niguel Shores General Manager and representatives of the Finance and Maintenance Committees also provide input to the consultant during the analysis. The final report will be distributed to Association Members in the fall.

The purpose of the reserve analysis is to identify certain assets in the common areas of Niguel Shores that will need to be repaired or replaced within a defined timeframe. Since the cost to repair or replace these assets may be expensive, the reserve analysis identifies and determines the cost to repair or replace and determines a financial plan to accumu-late the needed funds.

A partial list of assets identified in the reserve analysis is: street resurfacing, fencing, lighting/electrical, pool/spa, tennis courts, club house (interior and exterior), irrigation, slope repair and master landscape.

Reserve funds, excluding Breakers Isle, spent from Jan-uary 1 to June 30, 2020 were $95,973. The funds were used primarily for improvements in Lighting, Entrance Gates, Pool Area and Office Building Interior.

As of June 30, 2020, the balance in the reserve funds, excluding reserves for Breakers Isle, was $4,369,172. As of June 30, 2020, the balance in the Breakers Isle reserve was $163,395. The Breakers Isle reserve covers vehicle entrance area, gate house, vehicle gates, and fencing, but is not lim-ited to these items.

—The Finance Committee

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WOMEN’S CLUBJoin the Women’s Club Hello all ladies of Niguel Shores! We invite you to join the Women’s Club for a year of meeting new friends, lunch-ing together, hearing entertaining speakers, and enjoying special events. We are a gregarious group supporting friendship, fun, and service to the community. Our meet-ings are held on the second Thursday of each month in the Clubhouse or at the Bluff during sunny weather. For membership inquiries please contact Judi Palladino [email protected] or Jennifer Paige [email protected].

Patience—Patience was certainly the key to keeping a posi-tive outlook during these past months as we have been swing-ing between staying close to home or having our community open up again with masks and social distancing. Our beach offered a saving grace with wonderful walks along the strand and the gorgeous sunsets! Our summer Outside Activities provided a chance to walk the Ritz Carlton/Salt Creek Path and to tour Sherman Gardens. God only know when our life will be normal again, but I have noticed some very creative local ways of coping with the current COVID challenges and restrictions. For example, the outside dining experiences developed by local restaurants are delightful ways of breath-ing fresh air and enjoying delicious entrees. It reminds me of the patio restaurants in Italy and France with their colorful umbrellas! As I walked down Avenida Del Mar in San Clem-ente the other day, every restaurant was serving outside along the sidewalk, giving a very European flair.

September Meeting—Our September meeting will be on the Bluff with shaded umbrella tables. Please join us Sep-tember 10 at Noon. We will be passing out the new Wom-en’s Club Directory to all members. As we did in June, this meeting will be BYOLBC (bring your own lunch, beverage

and chair). Our speaker is Laurent Vrignaud, owner of Moulin Restaurant on PCH across from Niguel Shores. This is Vrignaud’s latest restaurant in Orange County delighting guests with authentic French foods and culture. Having brunch outside under Moulin’s red umbrellas is a pure joy! There will be no charge for this meeting but, if you haven’t paid your yearly dues yet, that would be most appreciated. Sign-up Sheets for our committees will also be available for those of you who have not decided how you would like to participate in this year.

Email Invitation—Watch for an email invitation on Sep-tember 3 with more information about our luncheon meet-ing at the Bluff this month. Please invite a neighbor who may be interested in joining the Women’s Club. We look forward to seeing everyone again for laughter, chats, and good times! I know I am really looking forward to work-ing with Sharon Stewart, Co-President for the Wom-en’s Club. We’ll make a good team sharing the monthly leadership roles throughout the year! Take care now, stay healthy, and keep smiling.

—Terry Link

MEN’S CLUBMeetings with Zoom Presentations—Your Men’s Club Governing Board has planned meetings with speakers to address us via Zoom on important, timely subjects. Mem-bers, watch your email for announcements of time, date, and method or location for the following meeting presentations:

■ Up-to-date development in Dana Point and in the Harbor. ■ California Proposition 15 on the November ballot. ■ Candidates for Dana Point City Council in Districts 4 and

5. Mike Frost is the first announced candidate for District 4 and has agreed to address us at a future meeting.

■ South Coast Water District candidates, when they are announced.

August Speaker Lisa Bartlett—Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District County Supervisor, spoke to us via Zoom on Wednesday, August 19, at 8 a.m. She told us about current city changes and improvements in our beautiful harbor.

Results of Email Survey—In July, members replied to an email survey about activities they would

CLUBS

Women’s Club Outside Activity for SeptemberEVENT: Beach Walk and Brunch at Moulin DATE: Thursday, September 17 TIME: 10:00 a.m. to Noon

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Meet at the Niguel Shores Club-house Parking Lot at 10:00 a.m. We will walk a path to the beach and then meet for brunch at the newly opened Moulin Bistro on the corner of PCH and Ritz Carlton Drive.Walk at your own pace while keeping a social distance. Enjoy brunch or just a coffee at Moulin outside on their patio. Bring money for food and drink (if you plan to dine) and a face covering (required by Moulin).RSVP so we know how many are attending: Carla Perin (949) 689-8831

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prefer when the lockdown is lifted. Results are shown in order here, most preferred first:

■ July 4th Pancake Breakfast. ■ (Tie) Oktoberfest German Dinner. ■ (Tie) Caravan with lunch to a quality destination

such as the Reagan Library, families and community invited.

■ Talega Golf Putting Contest with breakfast. ■ Catered Mexican Dinner. ■ Del Mar Horse Races.

Remembering Bob Gutknecht—We send condolences to the family of our long-time member and friend Bob Gut-knecht. Here are just a few of the dozens of fond remem-brances our members shared:

After joining the Men's Club, I got to know Bob and enjoyed chatting with him at our breakfast meetings. Bob reminded me so much of my late father and, at Bob's drive-by 90th birthday celebration on April 3, I learned he shared the same birthday with my mother who passed away in 2008. I'll miss driving by Bob's house, slowing down to see if he was outside, and sharing a wave and a smile. —John Yocca

Bob Gutknecht was a friend and inspiration to many of us as he played golf and volunteered until his late 80s. For a number of years Bob organized the pairings at San Juan Hills following the Men's Club Breakfast. Bob continued playing golf with friends even as he struggled with hip pain. At 89 he manned the coffee/juice station during the 4th of July Men's Club Pancake Breakfast as he had done for the past 20 some years. Bob had a good sense of humor and was the definition of “nice” as he always had a kind word and a friendly smile. —Roy Dohner

Bob was one of those individuals that always brought a smile to our faces and a warm feeling in our hearts. He was a gentleman, kind, respected, sweet disposition, and left you feeling better after every exchange you had with him. When we reflect on the current challenges and issues we are facing, we will always remember Bob’s positive outlook and our privilege of having him as a friend and neighbor. R.I.P. Bobby. —Kent Wellbrock

Bob always brought a smile to everyone and will surely be missed. I remember him organizing the Tuesday golf group when I first started playing. I'll miss walking by his house and talking to Bob. Will miss you! —Bob Russell

Mac Brown and I played with Bob on his last day of golf at (for some reason) his beloved Shorecliffs Golf Course. He

was just pitching and putting but still making the most of every moment. He was filled with a positive outlook and, I believe, enjoyed that day and every other day. —Boyd Van Ness

It was my good fortune to spend many hours with Bob on the golf course and in the kitchen preparing Men's Club break-fasts. He was always up, always positive. It gives me a warm feeling to remember his smile and chuckle. Hopefully, when I feel the need to speak out in anger or contribute to divisive rhetoric, I will remember Bob's example and try to be a kinder, more respectful person—as he was. —Jack Christiansen

—C. W. Gruenig

GARDEN CLUBYour New Club Officers for 2020-2021 met outdoors in Francine’s beautiful garden on Monday, August 3, to begin planning activities for the club’s coming year. They were wearing masks, observing social distances, and enjoying individually wrapped treats. (CDC, please note.)

■ Co-Presidents – Nadine Allen and Francine Stout ■ Vice President – Susan Courtney ■ Secretary – Ginny Gravely ■ Co-Treasurers – Karl Kuhn and Robbie Wollin ■ Membership – Diane Dale

Due to the continued uncertainty about when the Community Center will be open, your club officers decided to play it safe and cancel our meeting for September this year. We are planning a meeting in October, which I will report in the October Seashore News, and the remaining meetings for this year will also be presented.

—Karl Kuhn

IN MEMORIAM

Robert “Bob” GutknechtApril 3, 1930 to August 14, 2020

Resident of Windjammer Drive for 24 years

Sales Manager for Tenneco Inc.Spouse of Rhea Gutknecht and Father of

Greg, Jeff, and BrianBob was an avid golfer and played college/pro football.

He enjoyed the Men’s Club, was out on the golf course at 90 years old,

and always had a kind word with a smile.

CLUBS

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HOME SWEET HOME

Remodeling In Niguel ShoresThe Seashore News asked our

Community Association Manager, Karen Decker, and several local build-

ing contractors for their comments about remodeling homes in Niguel Shores. We make no specific contractor endorse-ments or recommendations in providing their replies here.

Architectural Review Process—The recent quarantine has given everyone an opportunity to hang out at home and make many interesting decisions about life, including whether or not you want to start that remodel project you have been thinking about for years. That is, until you open the rule set and quickly close it because—no matter how bored you are—no one wants to read all of that.

The good news is the Architec-tural Committee has you covered. Over the years we have been work-ing to streamline the review process for large-scale (remodel) projects.

Design Workshop—Any owner contemplating a major remodel should consider participat-ing in a Design Workshop prior to formally submitting to the Architectural Committee (AC). This process allows you to meet one-on-one with the Association’s consulting architect and may help reduce the review time. If you would like more information regarding this process, please email Karen Decker at [email protected].

Is It a Remodel?—The first question you will likely have is “How do I know if my project falls into the remodel cat-egory?” If you are moving exterior house walls or adjusting your roof design, then you have yourself a remodel—and this requires approvals from the Architectural Committee as well as the City of Dana Point (and possibly the Coastal Commis-sion).

Preliminary Application—The next questions will prob-ably be “How do I get started? What kind of application do I use?” Remodels are submitted to the Architectural Committee under a Preliminary Application. Included in the application is a checklist of all the materials and documents required to complete your application.

Once a completed application is given to the office, the fun begins.

Review Period—The Architectural Committee will begin review of your application. This process includes

review by the Association’s consulting architect, a story pole mockup of the intended construction, and a neighbor review and comment period.

Architectural Committee Conditional Approval—After these steps have been completed, and if there are no rea-sonable objections to the project, you will receive a conditional approval, but will not have final approval just yet.

City of Dana Point Approval—In order to obtain final approval and commence construction of your dream home, you will need to provide confirmation that the City of Dana Point has approved your plan and that the City’s approved

plan matches the Architecture Com-mittee’s accepted plan.

Green Light—When all these steps are completed, your construc-tion project can get underway.

Other Questions?—You can always contact me directly if you have questions regarding the review process or need assistance in submit-ting an architectural application to the Architectural Committee.

—Karen Decker, Community Association Manager

General Contractor Steve Waldon of ZSW, Inc. has part-nered with Mike Grover of Grover Construction to create WalGrove Building and Development, each bringing over 30 years of building expertise to the company, plus the ability to design and problem-solve for clients.

They handle all phases of construction from beginning to end. Examples of their completed projects can be seen throughout Niguel Shores. Pictured on the next page are some of their current projects underway showing stages of founda-tion, framing, exterior wrapping, and interior insulation.

Steve offers this advice: “My first suggestion to anyone wanting to remodel is to have a realistic idea of their budget before they begin. Too many times people pay an architect for a design that goes beyond their budget, only to have to re-do their plans—ultimately costing them time and money.”

He also emphasized choosing a contractor who can pro-vide good references from work in the neighborhood and who has experience interfacing with the Niguel Shores Homeown-ers Association and the City of Dana Point to assure the mini-mal amount of time and money spent going through the appli-cation and permit process. “Mitigating through the HOA and

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HOME SWEET HOME

City of Dana Point can be a daunting task,” he said. “Using someone experienced in these dealings and who understands the entire building process will be the homeowner's biggest upfront savings.”

Steve gave a detailed run-down of the City’s permit process: “While the plans are going through the Niguel Shores

HOA, we start a similar process at the City of Dana Point. One major difference at the City level is that several departments have to approve and sign off on the project, including the Plan-ning, Public Works, Engineering, and Building Departments.

“An application has to be submitted with three full sets of architectural and structural plans. This starts Plan Check 1, which usually takes two to three weeks wherein the City's plan review person issues corrections needed or items to be added. After those changes and added information have been han-dled, the plans are turned back in for Plan Check 2, which also takes approxi-mately two to three weeks. Usually the plans are finalized at this point (unless new issues arise) and ready for permit.

“There are still several hurdles before actually pulling the building permit. The City requires an HOA approval let-ter, and also—depending on whether it's a remodel or new build or the total scope of work—there are utility companies to deal with; hauling and recycling paperwork to be filled out and returned to the City (must be done correctly for owners to be refunded the recycling deposit they pay at the time of pulling the permit); and paperwork for the Air Quality Man-agement District giving notice of demolition on a project at least 14 working days before work can begin. In addition, all new projects must be tested for lead and asbestos. This is done through an independent company (which we supply for the owner) to make sure no abatement is needed and normal demolition can begin. This is a step some contractors miss or

skip, which ultimately comes back on the owner.”Steve also described what happens at the site of the remodel

while the City permit process is going on: “Once a Preliminary Application and set of plans is reviewed by the Niguel Shores Architecture Committee and consulting architect, we install story poles with flags at the property to show the additions or changes, roof heights, edges of eaves, footprint of additions, and possibly site walls making up the front courtyards. Nearby homeowners are notified of a window of time to voice any issue they may have with the new build. After approval from

the HOA and permits from the City, con-struction begins.”

Steve added, “I think it's important to state that the ‘cheapest’ bid is not always the smartest choice, and may become the most expensive version of a project because of things missed or over-promised to the owner. Good, high qual-ity work takes time, money, and atten-tion to detail. The average full remodel in Niguel Shores will take nine months

to a year, depending on the extent of the remodel or size of additions. I hear too often that homeowners are being prom-ised shorter than realistic build times and cheaper than realistic costs only to learn reality the hard way. When you choose a contractor based on background checks, references, know-how, experience, and examples of previous work, usually the scope and cost of a job can be worked out fairly, and you'll end up with the final product you were looking to achieve.”

Bruce Young has been remodeling homes in the Shores since 1996. In every neighborhood, or probably on every street, you will find projects completed by Young Builders. Bruce feels the most important thing to consider before remodeling is engaging both a reputable local architect and a local con-tractor who have a great track record in the community. “Even better,” he says, “if they have worked together in the past and established an efficient, respectful relationship with each other

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as well as our Niguel Shores Homeowners Association and the City of Dana Point.”

Bruce advises homeowners to have a clear vision of their project and to do some research ahead of time before seeking bids. “One of the biggest problems we run into is clients who do not do their homework prior to sending the job out for bid. If the project finishes are uncertain prior to the bid process, then contractors are left to guess and can only provide allow-ances for plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, door styles, mouldings, tile, counter tops, and so on. The materials have a direct bear-ing on the final cost of the project. I refer my clients to local established professional vendors who extend them my contrac-tor discounts and give them personal assistance.”

He also suggests hiring the assistance of a local interior designer. “In the long run, the cost of the designer is offset by a faster and more efficiently built project.”

From experience, Bruce knows there will always be modi-fications as the project goes along. He says, “Even with all the homework done, all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted, there will be changes. Whether it’s in design, unforeseen structural issues, building inspector demands, or just plain change of mind, cli-ents should have a contingency fund to fall back on for those inevitable issues. Remodeling is far from a fine science. There are numerous variables involved at every turn and, as long as client and contractor have good communication, the project will have a very high degree of success.”

David Bunevith of Top Dog Construction Corp has overseen construction projects throughout Niguel Shores for the past 20 years with a long list of completed homes. David emphasized that homeowners should have a clear idea of what their remodeling project will be before they meet with a contractor. “The builder needs to know the client’s vision of the end product,” he advises. “Even though there are always changes in finishes and small details, a great deal of time and money can be saved by planning ahead. Once the project is underway, major changes become costly.” David suggests gathering design ideas from magazines and online sources, and then studying them a while before making decisions. He advises homeowners to use local contractors familiar with the Association and the City requirements. As he said, "There's a level of trust when you work with people over and over."

He noted that building or remodeling a home takes time if the job is done right, saying, “I know it’s hard to have patience during what seems to be the most urgent time ever because you are excited to have the project done. Years from now, you won’t really remember the days of construction, but you will remember wishing you had taken time to add a certain creature-comfort or not missed a detail because of rushing a job. So having patience

and walking the job is very critical. I tell a lot of my clients to go to the project during early construction and pretend you’re living there so you can get a feel for the space because that’s the least costly time to make a change, before utilities are installed.”

Niguel Shores resident Bob Kelly, now retired after 39 years of construction experience in Niguel Shores, has more remodeled homes in our unique beach community than anyone can count. Bob offered several observations on the remodeling process:

■ Be sure that your designer, architect, builder, or anyone submitting your plan is familiar with the current rules and regulations for your address. In some cases, requirements differ from those of the City of Dana Point Planning Code. And depending on the project size, remodels on the ocean side of PCH may require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) per Coastal Commission directive.

■ Verify your property lines. If you are unsure, a Lot Line Survey is money well-spent.

■ The NSCA Architectural Committee is your friend, not foe. Niguel Shores homeowners volunteer on this committee. The rules have been fine-honed since the early 1970s to bring about the best outcomes for residents and the whole community.

■ A Preliminary Application, with a set of Preliminary Plans presented to the Architectural Committee for review, is the first step. The Committee’s concern is exterior modi-fications—so the locations of doors, windows, skylights, solar tubes, fireplace vents, AC units, solar fixtures, etc. are important, but not details of your interior floorplan. Keep your Preliminary Plan simple.

■ Next step requires a story pole mockup. If the mockup is denied for some reason, your Preliminary Plan will need to change. Wait until story pole mockup approval to fine-tune the floorplan.

■ Submitting a Hardscape/Landscape Plan to the Architec-tural Committee should wait until you know the City’s requirements. It is important to document existing hard surfaces (concrete, brick, tile, pavers) to gain credit for the City’s open space minimums. In my experience, plans for the outside often change from initial ideas to better ideas in the months leading up to getting the permit to build.

■ Remodeling involves time, money, and the usual frustra-tions, but enjoying your modernized home in our beauti-ful, amenity-rich community is so worth it!

The General Contractors who contributed to this article invite homeowners to contact them with remodeling questions:David Bunevith (949) 295-1064 or [email protected] Waldon (949) 370-8391 or [email protected] Young (949) 492-1409 or [email protected]

—Compiled by Sandy Homicz

HOME SWEET HOME

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LIBRARYTo all our Dana Point Library patrons: We miss you! We offer curbside pickup and same day service. Call ahead or reserve online. We are displaying new books for adults, teens, and children in our front windows. Do some window shopping! Or if anyone wants a selection of books from a certain genre/author/subject, just call us from the parking lot or from your home and we’ll do some personal shopping for you. If we have the material on the shelves, we’ll bring it out to you in the parking lot or place a hold. The items will be placed on our windsock-decorated table.

We also offer a virtual book group, Gentle Reads, on the second Thursday of the month, 10:30 a.m. to noon, via Zoom. Anyone interested, please send me an email at [email protected].

—Laura Blasingham, OCPL

PAGE TURNERSSeptember finds the members of Page Turners Book Club returning to their monthly discussion meetings, although perhaps in different locations than usual. As of this writing, it seems we will be meeting outdoors (locations TBD), or some may elect to meet via Zoom. In

any event all three groups will be discussing The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. This novel will surely bring to mind the houses where we grew up and the family members who shared that experience.

As described by Lit Lovers, “The Dutch House is the story of a paradise lost, a tour de force that digs deeply into questions of inheritance, love and forgiveness, of how we want to see ourselves and of who we really are.”

This is a very popular book and to obtain a copy from the public library has been a challenge. One member told me she listened to the book on her iPhone via the LIBBY app. This app lets you check out the e-book from your local library and have it sent to your phone, tablet, or computer. Most people are aware of the curbside pick-up available at the library, and while there yesterday getting a book I find they have a new service called Advanced Search. This lets you pick up a book the same day you search (providing it is available) from the library of your choice.

I know all our book club members are looking forward to resuming our regular schedule and hearing about all the books that have been read over the summer. Page Turners meets on the fourth Monday and fourth Thursday of the month. For information on the Thursday groups please con-tact Steve and Ann Morris at [email protected] and for the Monday group Frances at [email protected].

—Frances Ozimec

ACTIVITIES

SPORTS

SPORTS AMENITIESPoolOur pool is open for residents only.A signed Pool Waiver is required.The Pool Waiver form is available online at niguelshores.org.Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily

PickleballPickleball is Drop-In Play, and for residents only.Hours: M, T, Th, Sat 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. W, F 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m (closed Sunday)

TennisTennis courts are for residents only, reservations required.Reserve online at niguelshores.org.Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily

IN MEMORIAM

Jimmy SchulerMarried 52 years to his wife Pamela

Longtime Resident of Niguel Shores for 45 years

SJC Fiesta Association Dignitary in 2013

Passed away August 5, 2020

Remembered fondly by all who knew him.

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Pet ParadePet ParadeYOUR NEW KITTEN

Niguel Shores resident Dr. Susan Davis practices and teaches at Western University of Health Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine. Last month, she gave us advice about puppies. This month—kittens!

With more people staying at home because of COV-ID-19, kittens are being adopted in record numbers.

If you are among the lucky ones with a new kitten or if you plan on getting one, here are some helpful hints.

Where did you get the kitten? Normally kittens are born when it is warm, but we have two distinct seasons in Southern California when kittens are plentiful—early spring and around Christmas. As with puppies, you will probably get a healthier kitten from a private home, but kittens are more plentiful at shelters and from rescue organizations, and these are good options as well. Kittens acquired at shelters are more likely to have been exposed to infectious diseases so make sure you take your new kitten to a veterinarian soon after you bring him home to make sure he is healthy.

What should I feed my kitten? Canned (wet) food is generally considered healthier for cats than dry food. However, it is easier for most people to feed dry food. No matter which type you choose, make sure you get “kitten” food. This will have the nutrients needed for the kitten to grow and thrive. Kittens have small teeth so, if you feed your kitten dry food, make sure the kibble is small enough for your kitten to eat it.

How do I introduce my kitten to the cat we already have at home? Depending on the personality of your exist-ing cat and the age of the new kitten, you should take intro-ductions slowly. First, keep the cats apart until you have assurance from your veterinarian that the kitten does not have any disease that can infect your other cat. Then let the older cat see the kitten before they come face to face. This could mean that you hold the kitten in your arms and walk through the room in view of your other cat. Or you can put the kitten in a carrier in the room with the other cat. This way they can meet without any challenge to your existing cat’s territory. Once they seem to tolerate each other, you can let them be together, but make sure you supervise them care-fully for at least a few weeks. The same technique applies to introducing your kitten to your dog.

Do I need to train my kitten to use the litter box? You do not need to teach kittens to use the litter box. Make sure you have one more litter box than number of cats you have. If your kitten is very small, you may not want to use

clumping litter as this can get stuck in the paws and cause problems for him.

Should I let my kitten outside? Cats (and kittens) that go outdoors live shorter lives. We have coyotes in Niguel Shores, so I strongly recommend you keep your cats indoors at all time.

What do I need to know about vet visits for my kit-ten? Kittens, like puppies, need a series of vaccines and dewormings every three weeks starting at age 6-8 weeks. On your kitten’s first visit to the vet, make sure you have a blood test done for feline leukemia virus (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus FIV. Kittens can be born with these viruses. (Don’t worry, they’re not transferable to humans.). Also take a fresh stool sample (about ½ tea-spoon’s worth, and OK if litter is on it) so the vet can test for internal parasites.

What do I do about my kitten keeping me up at night and attacking my legs when I walk by? This is what I call “the nighttime circus.” Cats are nocturnal by nature, so they are active at night. The best remedy for this problem is to tire the kitten out during the day. Get some playthings like remote-control mice or feather toys and let the kitten chase and attack them. This will also help with any biting or play-attacking. As a last resort, you can shut your bed-room door and let the kitten have the rest of the house to prowl at night.

Will my kitten need to be spayed or neutered? You will definitely want to have your kitten “fixed.” If you do not do this, the kitten will try to get out and breed with any available cats. Kittens come into heat any time after 6 months of age, so fixing your cat should be done prior to this. I usually recommend that this be done between 4 and 6 months of age.

Do I need to worry about my kitten getting into things and eating foreign objects? This is less of a prob-lem with kittens than with puppies, but you still need to be careful that your kitten does not eat something it shouldn’t. Make sure you do not have any houseplants or cut flowers accessible that he might want to nibble on. Lilies are espe-cially toxic. Watch the kitten when you give him toys to make sure he does not eat them.

Have fun with your new kitten!—Susan Davis, DVM

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Cont. on page 16

As I sat on the front porch putting on my shoes, I paused for a moment to appreciate the beauty of the

early morning summer sky silently transitioning from co-balt blue to glowing shades of orange, gold, and yellow. The world was awaiting the arrival of the sun in the eastern horizon. Shoes tied and birds chirping, I started my early morning walk. I scanned the sky again and noticed high clouds that just might bring some late afternoon showers to the Southern California mountains and deserts. Beautiful! It was a glorious morning, perfect in every way!

And what a glorious walk! I did have to stop and retie one of my shoes that felt tight—and during this “retying” moment it struck me how grateful I was for the healthy, strong feet that carried me along.

I also remembered a few weeks ago when I was on my way down to Salt Creek wearing only flip flops. A friend happened along my path and was surprised that I was in sandals instead of more foot-friendly walking shoes. “They feel good on my feet” I explained, “and I like to slip them off and walk barefoot in the surf.” We wished each other well and said good-bye, but I began to think about

the underestimated value of maintaining a healthy pair of feet.

When we think about our feet— (Oh, wait a minute! Do we ever think about our feet?) Well, some of us may give a thought to our latest pedicure or how a shoe looks

on our foot, yet when it comes to caring for our feet, that’s probably at the bottom of the must-do list.

But stop and think about the tremendous load our feet support! The heavier one is, the heavier the load on our feet, and that load is carried for about 5,000 steps a day which is a couple of miles. Very often we also shove our feet into ill-fitting shoes causing all kinds of problems, like bunions, corns, and hammer toes. Other foot issues we don’t want to overlook are ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, sweaty feet, high/low/or no arches, and—yes—unusually smelly feet!

If you’re diabetic, the importance of foot care is crucial. Often diabetics will suffer from neuropathy, or nerve damage, which is painful. Yet, they might not feel an irritation, like a small rock in the shoe, that can result in a sore. Diabetics tend to have poor blood circulation, especially to their extremities, and a sore may become infected and not heal. Infected foot sores are a major cause of amputations in diabetics.

If you have foot problems, be sure to eat nutritious food, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, keep your toenails properly cut, keep your feet clean and moisturized, don’t wear tight shoes, and connect with your doctor. If you’re blessed with trouble-free feet, thank those two workhorses every step of the way! And when those workhorses take you on that wonderful morning walk, be sure to see the beauty in the early morning sky. It’ll make your day!

Wellness... Happy Feet

To Your Health! Sharon Stewart RN, Health Coach, [email protected]

Moulin, Maison, Hendrix,

It is unlikely to find new restaurants to re-view in this unusual year, but probably

worthwhile to update the current situation at some of the ones which caught our attention in the past.

Impossible for Niguel Shores residents to miss, and a nice walk for many of us to visit on foot, Moulin opened their fourth location across PCH from us at the end of July, serving French fare from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. seven days a week. If you have visited their Laguna Beach, Newport or San Clemente locations, you know Moulin offers authentic French fare as found in the cafes, bistros and artisanal boulangeries of Paris with tables al’ fresco under red umbrellas. They do a brisk morning trade in fresh-baked croissants and pastries, plus classic baguette sand-wiches and salads both morning and afternoon. Don’t miss their

kitchen entrees as well. The roast chicken with pommes rustique, and the seared salmon with asparagus are wonderful dishes.

Located in the Jack’s Surf Shop center at the historic entrance to Dana Point on PCH, chef-owner Danielle Kuhn had just celebrated the first anniversary of her successful Maison Café + Market when the pandemic struck. She remained open throughout the early weeks for take-out pas-tries, prepared breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Her dining room was converted to long tables filled with produce and

CUISINE CORNER

Customers at the newly-opened Moulin.

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GENERAL CONTRACTINGLIC. #B512687

P.O. Box 38San Clemente, CA 92674

Bruce Young(949) 492-1409

Serving Niguel Shores Since 1996

24662 Del Prado, Ste 1A, Dana Point, CA 92629lanternbaycarpets.com

CARPETS VINYL WOOD FLOORING BLINDSWALLPAPER DRAPERIES UPHOLSTERY

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Fax (949) 240-1167GENE [email protected]

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COLE’S CARTS

949.735.2969 • [email protected]

GOLF CART SERVICE, REPAIRS, UPGRADES,CUSTOM BUILDS, SEATS & MORE!

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bakery items at market prices to keep her purveyors’ busi-nesses going. She also continued with her unique quarterly wine club offerings and recently added sidewalk tables for al’ fresco service from the Maison kitchen. Chef Danielle plans to open a new bakery café restaurant named Gianna’s in the former space of Auroa’s Taquiria on PCH.

Also open throughout the year, Hendrix has been con-sistent in their quality offerings. They closed briefly when the state and county first stifled in-house dining, but they quickly converted to provide take-away service of most menu items, as well as offering their rotisserie meats, fresh steaks, fish, and produce, quality baked goods, bottled wines and even pre-made cocktails at market prices to-go. As in the case of Maison, this fresh thinking kept their purveyors’ businesses flowing, if not thriving. Hendrix has now moved tables and chairs out front on

their broad sidewalk, covered them with umbrellas, and are pro-viding their full menu with full service al’ fresco. There are also tables in the front portion of their building where a garage-style rollup door allows for an inside/outside dining experience. On a recent visit we noticed a restaurant writer from The Register having weekend brunch with a party of four. Chef Allan men-tioned the writer is a regular weekend patron. (We are partial to Hendrix and visit several times each week since our son Matt became restaurant manager at the end of 2019. Be sure to tell him you’re from Niguel Shores if you pay a visit.)

These locations are all maintaining healthful protocols set by State and County guidelines, such as masked and gloved servers, etc. and require you wear a mask as you enter or move about the interior. Be safe. Stay healthy.

—Gary Tinnes

CUISINE cont. from page 15

Issues of the Seashore News from 1973 to now are available online at www.niguelshores.org. We would like to hear from you! Send your comments and suggestions to [email protected]

General Editor:Sandy Homicz

Assistant Editors:Mike Harrod (Committees)Patti Staudenbaur (Clubs/Activities/

Meet Neighbor)

Regular Contributors:Steve Barrett (Pickleball)Susan Davis, DVM (Pet Parade)

Geoff Dunlevie (Maintenance)Bob French (Bridge Club)Brenda Gino (Women’s Golf)CW Gruenig (Men’s Club)Terry Link (Women’s Club)Karl Kuhn (Garden Club)Marla Miller (NSCA GM Report)Tim Murphy (Traffic and Safety/

Cuisine)

Kathy Newport (Distribution)Matt Northrop (Website/Advertising)Frances Ozimec (Page Turners)Michelle Ralph (Features/Spotlight/

Meet Neighbor)Jenny Rose (Tennis)Bob Russell (From the Helm)Norton Schwartz (Really Serious

Book Club)

Sharon Stewart (Wellness)Bill Walkup (Cuisine)Kent Wellbrock (Emergency

Preparedness)Meg Wilson (Features/Spotlight/

Photos)Photos This Month:Gary Tinnes - CuisineMeg Wilson – Page 1 Sunsets

NSCA is not responsible for any work done nor are we recommending any of the advertised companies

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www.niguelshores.org Seashore News, September 2020 | 17

John YoccaREALTOR®

949.683.8884

[email protected]# 02080125

· NIGUEL SHORES RESIDENT SINCE 2002

· FORMER CEO OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIRM

· MILITARY VETERAN - AIR FORCE FIGHTER PILOT

© 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the fran-chise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks

of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.

NSCA is not responsible for any work done nor are we recommending any of the advertised companies

Ads for the Seashore News must be submitted by the 15th of the month. Include a check payable to NSCA, $5 for a maximum of 30 words. Advertisers must fill out a form available at the Association office. Neither NSCA nor the Seashore News assumes responsibility or liability for quality of goods advertised.

NEIGHBORHOOD ADSUpgraded Sea Terrace home available for rent: single level, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, spacious LR/DR area with ocean views. Contact Information: (949) 244-3387 or [email protected]

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www.niguelshores.org18 | Seashore News, September 2020

NSCA is not responsible for any work done nor are we recommending any of the advertised companies

Make sure YOU count.Fill Out Your 2020 US Census Form today!

Go to 2020CENSUS.GOV for more information.

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www.niguelshores.org Seashore News, September 2020 | 19

NSCA is not responsible for any work done nor are we recommending any of the advertised companies

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www.niguelshores.org20 | Seashore News, September 2020

NSCA is not responsible for any work done nor are we recommending any of the advertised companies