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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | AUGUST 2026 9 By eresa Rossetti, Resident "When he was thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow." Does that ring a bell? How about "On a Dark Desert Highway"? One more: "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster." If you thought that was from e Godfather, you'd be wrong. It's from Goodfellas, close, but no cigar. "It was a bright, cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." George Orwell's 1984. Oh, did I neglect to tell you the first line in the first paragraph is from To Kill a Mockingbird? My bad (or deliberate - you never know with me). One of my favorites is "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." I can thank Charles Dickens and A Tale of Two Cities for that one. Now a small quiz about a book's opening lines: Who used "It was a dark and stormy night" as an opening line? Answer can be found below. Words from books we've read, songs we've heard, opening lines from movies, tend to bring back memories, even if we didn't enjoy the source. They pop into our head without conscious thought. If there's a song currently in your mind, an earworm, if you will, that's perfectly normal. Quite frankly, right now it should be Hotel California by the Eagles. Should we try to purge these memories? I don't think so. A book you had to read in high school might not have been a favorite, but perhaps it brings back memories of school friends. Movie lines tend to be iconic after a while, whether it was an opening line such as "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" (I bet your brain just pulled up Luke, Han and Leia), or embedded in the movie such as "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." You might not immediately picture Peter Clemenza, but Brando, Pacino or Duvall should be there. Small fact inserted here: Richard Castellano played Peter Clemenza in e Godfather. It's hard not to acknowledge these great Italian last names! I think my Italian in-laws would be happy. Returning to "A dark and stormy night," you would be incorrect if you thought the original author was Snoopy. Although he has been writing his premier opus for many years, the phrase can be found much earlier. The 1830 novel Paul Clifford begins with it, but the earliest known use was in 1809, when Washington Irving published A History of New York. If you don't "feel the need, the need for speed," and can "handle the truth," come with me, "Rosebud," as I "ease on down the road" of memory lane. (Top Gun, A Few Good Men, Citizen Kane and e Wiz.) I think I covered the Greatest Generation, the Baby Boomers and Gen X residents with those! Where Did That Come From? Planning ahead is one of the best ways to protect our community's buildings and amenities while making responsible financial decisions. This five-year strategic asset plan serves as a roadmap for evaluating major projects over the next several years. It is important to remember that this is a planning document—not a commitment to spend money. Before any major project moves forward, the Board will gather information, obtain competitive bids, evaluate costs and benefits, and vote on whether to proceed. In 2026, the focus will be on research and preparation. The Board will obtain quotes for improving pool dehumidification and converting community lighting to energy-efficient LED fixtures. The LED project, including available rebates, is expected to be completed. The Board will also begin exploring options for a long-term roof replacement program and evaluate a possible power service upgrade. In 2027, attention will turn to the community's heating and cooling systems. Bids will be obtained to replace the rooftop HVAC units, and the Board will evaluate whether an all-electric system could provide long-term benefits. Solar energy will also be studied to determine if it is a worthwhile investment for the community. During 2028, planning will continue with the replacement of the pool heater, two water heaters, and roof exhaust fans. If solar has been approved, installation would begin during this period. In 2029, the Board will review completed projects to see whether they are delivering the expected energy savings and performance. Planning will also begin for other major assets identified in the reserve study that are approaching the end of their useful life. By 2030, the Board will review everything accomplished over the previous five years and use those results to help shape the next strategic asset plan. Taking a long-term approach allows the Association to plan ahead, reduce unexpected expenses, and make informed decisions that help protect our community and its financial future. For readability's sake, the article above contains an AI summarized version of SDV's Five-Year Strategic Plan. Five-Year Strategic Asset Plan: 2026-2030 "When he was thirteen, my brother Jem got his , you'd be wrong. It's from "It was a bright, cold day in April, and the clocks book you had to read in high school might not or embedded in the movie such as "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." You might not immediately picture Peter Clemenza, but Brando, Pacino or Duvall should be

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