PRESIDENT’S REPORT – The CC&R’s that allow us to preserve the unique environment of Bear Valley call for specific steps to be followed in storing snowmobiles during non-winter use. Thirty homeowners received letters this summer requesting that they take steps to bring their snowmobile storage into compliance with the CC&R guidelines. Following a survey on compliance, a few homeowners will receive a letter from the board’s legal counsel on their non-compliance status. We want to take this opportunity to thank the majority of these homeowners for taking the corrective steps to be in compliance with these rules - Thank You for keeping Bear Valley a unique place for all of us!!

ARC REPORT – Architectural Review Committee Chairman Ron Murphy reports that five new homes remain under construction at this time. Two will be completed by snowfall (hopefully, on the part of the homeowners!). The others will wait for the spring snow-melt to resume construction. Two small remodel applications are under review at the present time. We have no other activity at this time.

Property owners are reminded that ALL exterior changes of homes in the "new" subdivisions of Bear Valley require approval by the ARC in advance of construction. This includes tree removal, repaint/restain of the exterior of the home, reroof, propane tank additions, and remodels (no matter how small). The BVRI web site has details on how to apply and comply with the CC&R requirements. Remember, substantial fines can be imposed for non-compliance, as well as the non-complying matter having to be corrected.

Please contact any member of your Architectural Review Committee with any questions: Terry Woodrow, Robin LaRoy, Gary Willard, Chuck Taylor and Ron Murphy. Addresses and phone numbers are on the BVRI website: www.BVRI.ORG

TENNIS CLUB – Ann Wolff writes:

Bear Valley Tennis Club needs your support. Even if you don’t play tennis, we hope you will consider joining the club for a nominal $100.00 to show your interest in tennis for our Bear Valley community. The ability to play tennis, serious or otherwise, will be appreciated by young and old residents, guests, and children for many years. We especially hope you will consider the overall, long-term value of this sports development to your residence in Bear Valley. We had hopes of constructing courts in the meadow on school district land. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure that site. We are now exploring the par course site. We already have over 60 paid members, a very active board, and $60,000 in collected funds and pledges to our capital campaign to construct courts. We need $150,000 to build four courts. Don’t miss out! To join the club, send a check payable to BVTC to: Ann Wolff, 151 Pepper Court, Los Altos, CA 94022. To make a pledge of financial support to our capital campaign, e-mail Ann Wolff at annwolff@earthlink.net or Bruce Bolt at boltuc@socrates.berkeley.edu Don’t hesitate to e-mail us with any questions, ideas or suggestions. We would love to hear from the Bear Valley community.

ANNUAL PICNIC SUMMARY – BVRI annual picnic coordinator Brian Neth reports that the July 4^th picnic was a stunning success! Attendance topped over 300 people in attendance with great food and music enjoyed by all! The kids games and raffle were a great success as was the great music of Brad Peterson.

President Dave Morley presented a $1,000 BVRI Scholarship to Bear Valley School graduate Savina Machovsky for her continuing education at UOP this Fall – Congratulations to Savina we wish her much success in her studies!

Thanks to all of our great homeowners, this years raffle raised $1,700 for a donation to the Bear Valley Early Learning Center – Thanks again for everyone’s generosity to this worthy cause!! Also, we appreciate all of the help from our many volunteers – from set up to cooks – we could not make this great event work without your time and effort – Thanks again from the entire BVRI Board!!

FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN – BVRI Board Members Brian Neth and Gloria English have coordinated a fire prevention inspection campaign designed to make Bear Valley a fire safe community. BVRI volunteers have checked each residence for basic fire safety compliance – 30 ft property clearance, screened chimneys, etc – Following the initial inspections, individual follow up letters have been mailed to home owners with compliance issues requesting there assistance in seeing that fire prevention issues are promptly handled to insure we have a fire safe environment in Bear Valley – we thank you for setting a high standard or promptly bringing your property up to full compliance!!

The board is also currently discussing programs to address fire prevention improvements in common areas, national forest land as well as at the beaches – all designed to insure Bear Valley is as fire safe as possible.

4 STROKE SNOWMOBILE REBATE PROGRAM - The BVRI Board voted to contribute $500 toward the 4-stroke snowmobile rebate program that has been established to help promote a cleaner, quieter Bear Valley. The new 4-stroke machines use less fuel and create significantly less noise and air pollution than the 2-stroke machines. The program offers a $500 discount to any Bear Valley snowmobile user who buys a new 4-stroke machine from Bear Valley Snowmobile (209-753-2323). For complete information on this unique program, call Bear Valley Real Estate at 209-753-2334.

OHMVR GRANT FUNDING – BVRI board member Gary Willard reports:

On October 2^nd the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission held a public hearing for grant proposals. The OHMVR Commission administers the OHMVR Trust Fund. Funds are obtained from registration of off-road vehicles, the Green Sticker we get when we send money to DMV, and a portion of the state gas tax that is estimated to be from the sale of gas for off-road vehicles. Various governmental agencies (counties, USFS, BLM, etc) make applications for these funds through a grant process.

This year the three grant applications that impact the Bear Valley area were as follows:

1. Alpine Co Sheriff OSV Enforcement

$29,000 requested $10,000 recommended no action

2. Alpine Co Public Works

$16,000 requested 0 recommended 0 received

3. USFS Stanislaus

The Sheriff’s grant application may be increased when it is heard at the December 4^th meeting in San Diego. Our Sheriff’s department made a compelling argument for more funds and the commissioners directed staff to see if funding for this grant could be increased.

The public works grant application was for funds to augment county funding of the grooming of our roads in Bear Valley. Depending on the snowfall this winter, we may experience less frequency of grooming and a bumpy ride around town.

The USFS Stanislaus grant application was not heard and was carried over to the Commission’s next public hearing on December 4^th. No reason was given, even after speakers asked why this action was taken. It appears likely the Commission will vote to reduce or completely eliminate funding for this grant application. Public comment was heard on the grant application and about 10 speakers from Bear Valley spoke. Gary Willard, representing BVRI, provided public comment to the Commission recommending approval of all Bear Valley grants. Without the Stanislaus grant funding, the Highway 4 trail from Lake Alpine to Highlands Lake will not receive state funds for grooming. A loss of this recreational area for snowmobilers may result in an increase in snowmobile traffic in Bear Valley. It will also greatly increase emergency response times to help people in the backcountry. The Snow Park and restrooms at Lake Alpine are separately funded and will be in service this winter.

THE BEACH REPORT – Sue Garrett reminds all homeowners that there is an abundance of Free Fire Wood available at the big beach area. BVRI member Paul Peterson has had the downed trees prepared for cutting into fire wood – now is a great time to take advantage of this opportunity – before the snow falls!!

Also, if you want to have a private party at the big beach you need to coordinate it through Sue Garrett to insure you are in compliance with the BVRI rules – thanks!

We have been informed by Bruce Orvis that the Lake Alpine Water Company is being required to post "No Swimming" signs at Bear Lake to comply with State requirements for drinking water. Signs are being posted to be in compliance with the law. Modesto and other communities have received a waver to this requirement by conducting a letter writing campaign to their State Representatives. Bruce recommended a similar campaign by Bear Valley homeowners requesting them to vote on a waiver to permit swimming in Bear Lake. BVRI board member Leslie Peterson has forwarded the following information on both state Senators and Assembly Members to contact:

State Senator: Thomas "Rico" Oller, State Capitol, Room 5064, Sacramento, CA 95814

State Assembly Member: Tim Leslie, State Capitol, Room 4164, Sacramento, CA 95814

BVRI WEB SITE – This is to remind all BVRI members that we have an active web site – www.bvri.org - that includes information on board specific issues – ARC members and application process, board members, meeting minutes, etc as well as many additional Bear Valley resources! You can direct e-mail correspondence to our address on issues that are of interest/concern to you. We would also appreciate if you would provide your current e-mail address so we can expedite communications on important issues – just send an up date to bvri.org – Thanks!!

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