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Initial summer irrigation results are encouraging. Our consumption is down 22 percent over 2013 (the base year) and 37 percent over 2014. It certainly was helped by Mother Nature's gift in July, 2.38" of rain. In fact, this is the first recordable July rainfall in Four Seasons' existence. But the drought restrictions are also playing a major role in the reduction. We do have brown spots in our turf, usually in high places where the ground is not level where sprinkler heads have become clogged or misdirected. Because we are unable to "water in" fertilizers and treatments for insects and diseases, our lawns may suffer somewhat as the hot seasons continues. We now have two traffic circles where the turf has been replaced by small plants and sprinklers converted to drip irrigation. Additionally, the median strip from the front gate to Four Seasons Circle has been converted to drip. More efficient sprinkler heads are installed in the large turf area at the west end of Quiet Creek. Two more conversions were in the Board packet for August: the narrow turf strip on Dewey Creek between Brush Creek and Kettle Creek and the large turf area between Lewis Creek and Four Seasons Circle on the south side of the sidewalk. Some areas in front of the Lodge are being studied for conversion as well. September marks the beginning of the Santa Ana winds that accelerate through the Pass area. They can gust up to 40 m.p.h. here at Four Seasons. We start tree trimming this month for the trees like the Rubinias along Four Seasons Circle that have heavy foliage and are prone to breaking. Homeowners with similar "lollipop top" trees should also take trimming precautions. There are openings for new members on the Landscape Committee; we need help to meet these challenges and opportunities. Applications are available at the Lodge desk. ~ Len Tavernetti 18 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2015 Landscape Committee Rules & Regulations Committee GAte entRy RemindeR: Wait for the gate to close behind the car ahead of you before going through the Potrero or Crooked Creek gates — do not tailgate. The gate arms come down quickly and can damage your car or break off and have to be replaced — or both. Security cameras record the license numbers of offending cars and owners will be charged for damage to the gates. (Occasionally, the gate will not come down because the transponder in following car keeps it open — wait long enough to be SURE that is the case before driving through.) Go slow through the gates. There are often maintenance workers in the median, the roundabout or near the gate houses. Also, the gate attendants at Potrero have to step out frequently to deal with trucks too large to use the covered drive next to the house. Be courteous, be cautious, please. ~ Leighton McLaughlin, for the committee Due to a lack of interest among residents, the Rules and Regulations Committee has decided against pursuing changes to the District Delegate system of electing HOA Board members. An article in the July Breeze asked residents to send in their thoughts on the matter. Only two responses were received. Changes to the CC&Rs are lengthy, complex and expensive, and the committee felt the effort to change the rules would likely be unproductive unless there was strong community support. Clearly there is not. Our turf doesn't always have to be green to look nice.

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