President’s Message
May – June 2012

Dear Neighbors,

            By the time this letter is published, we hope that the first floor renovation of the Claray Clubhouse will have been finished.  Our Association Manager and Assistant Manager have moved back into the Clubhouse from the trailer parked outside and Association operations have resumed on a normal basis.  New furnishings are in the process of being ordered for the first floor and plans are being discussed to have a grand opening for the new first floor for the community to see this wonderful renovated facility.  I hope all of you will agree with me that our new first floor will be a unique addition to our already excellent facilities.

            Your Board of Directors has approved the appointment of a new Wine Event Committee.  Our last Wine Tasting Event was in October 2010 and resulted in the most successful community event in recent memory.  The new co-chairs of the Wine Event Committee are Joan Herman and Anita Siegel.  Volunteers are needed for the Committee and I urge anyone with contacts in the wine distribution industry or catering industry to contact Joan Herman at jherman20@roadrunner.com to express your interest in helping her and Anita put on another fantastic event.  The tentative date for the 2012 event is Sunday, October 14, 2012.  SAVE THE DATE!  The 2010 Event was sold out and this one will be as well.  Buy your tickets early once it is announced that the tickets are on sale.

            Our Tennis Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Amir Navab, continues to move forward with interesting events for our community and to attract more people to learn to play tennis.  A Facebook page is in the planning stage.  Invitations to college tennis teams are also being considered.  We have excellent tennis facilities in our community and it is important to maximize their use.

            As I walk around parts of our community, it is disheartening to see the lack of effort by other dog owners to pick up after their pets.  At some expense, a few years ago the Association placed dog waste receptacles in various parts of our community.  These receptacles also contain dispensers for sturdy plastic bags to carry around to pick up after your dogs.  There is absolutely no excuse for any dog owner not to pick up after their own dogs.  As a dog owner myself, I always carry plastic bags when walking our dogs and always pick up after them.  If you see anyone who fails to pick up after their dogs, don’t hesitate to identify them to our Association Manager and/or point them out to the ACS Security patrol.
           
            Finally, my President’s Message would not be complete without a restaurant, movie or book recommendation.  This month, may I suggest Picca Peruvian Cantina, 9575 W. Pico Blvd., near Beverly Drive.   It’s located above Sotto, another restaurant that I previously recommended, Picca serves tapa-style small plates and the selections are interesting, flavorful and delicious.  If you are in the mood for something different, give it a try.

Marshall G. Mintz, President