THE HARBOUR TIDINGS
—AUGUST 2022—
BODEGA HARBOUR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
In This Issue
- Gym Reservations Online
- Community Rules
- Member Survey Report
- What's my Parcel Number?
- Food & Beverage Update
- Golf News
- Literature Group
- Sea Gals News
- Exercise Group
- Board of Directors
- Design Review
- Landscape Review
- Announcements, Updates, Info Links
- Photos from the Community
- Bodega Bay & County Happenings
- Local Services (Ads)
Gym Reservations
For convenience and ease, reservations for using the gym can now be made online, at BHHA.org. Please note that the reservation system has been recently modified with board approval—those changes have been highlighted below.
To make a new reservation – log in to BHHA.org, then hover over the Amenities link on the top menu, which will then display a sub-menu called Reservations. Alternatively, you can click on Amenities, and then scroll down to where it says Work Out Facility – that text is linked to the Reservations page. If you are logged in to the website, you can also click the link below this article.
After you get to the Reservations page, click on the Check Availability button. You will then see an availability calendar where you can choose a (30) minute time slot to use the gym. Only available time slots will be shown, within 72 hours (3 days) of the current time. The gym is open 7 days a week from 6:00am to 7:00pm.
After three o’clock, the gym will be open to all members without reservations.
After you’ve chosen a time slot & clicked Next, you will see a form for your contact information, most of which may be automatically filled in from your login profile. You will also be asked for your Member ID / Parcel Number.
When you’ve finished booking your time slot, you will receive a confirmation e-mail and the Administration staff will also be notified. If you need to make any changes to your reservation after it’s been booked, click on your Name on the very top left of any page when you are logged in, which will bring up a small menu and you can navigate to My Bookings.
While you can make a reservation at any time of day, and on weekends, the Administration office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. If you need additional support, contact Janelle Vanderpool during the office hours, at
415-300-5974 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will be monitoring the reservations made online and reviewing the calendar.
Masks are required in the Gym.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Community Rules
Golf Paths are for Golfers
The BHHA has many golf paths throughout the community. The golf paths may seem like attractive trails, but they are not for walking. They are only for golfers. The paths can be dangerous for wandering pedestrians because of the many golf carts and golf balls in play on each tee, fairway, and hole. Golfers are playing their game, not watching for pedestrians. Golfers rightfully expect that they will not be distracted by people on the course or paths. The only exception is the path between Gull and the Club House parking lot, which can be used by walkers.
Please advise your guests and renters to stay off the golf paths. The BHHA Rules, Procedures & Fines prohibits Golf Course Trespass (Rule 14):
“Trespassing on to Bodega Harbour Golf Course is prohibited. Golf course trespassing is any unauthorized entry on to the Bodega Harbour Golf Course by an Owner or Guests. The Golf Course is defined as the tee boxes, the fairways, the greens, the paved cart paths, and the rough which typically extends to the rear property lines of abutting private lots within the Bodega Harbour subdivision. Golf course boundaries are marked by white stakes. Authorized entry to the golf course is afforded maintenance employees during the course of their duties, Administrative personnel, and for golfers during play on the course only after registering and paying golf fees at the Pro Shop.
Walking on the cart path leading from Gull Drive to the Clubhouse parking lot is allowed. This cart path is shared by golfers traveling from the 9th to the 10th holes. Walking on the cart path leading from the Clubhouse parking lot to the beach is also allowed. This cart path is shared by golfers traveling from the 18th green to the Clubhouse and homeowners headed to the beach. Walking on any other portions of the cart path system is prohibited.”
The Association is at the beginning stages of installing signs and repainting warnings on the paths. Please remember that golf course trespass is a violation of BHHA Rules, and owners can be fined ($250 for first violation, $500 for second) if they or their guests or renters walk on the golf paths.
Thank you
Let’s enjoy Bodega Harbour together!
Member Survey
Thank you to all who participated in the survey. Please follow the link below to view the June 2022 Member Survey Report.
June 2022 Member Survey Report
What is my BHHA Parcel / Member Number?
Each of our 725 Bodega Harbour lots has a "Parcel" number from 001 to 725.
The Accounting office adds a “1” at the beginning. This makes our "Member" numbers from 1001 to 1725.
Your basic Member number is on your BHHA owner’s access card: 1xxx.
Member numbers also have an “A” attached at the end. That makes it 1001A to 1725A.
Your "full" Member number is on your Statement: 1xxxA.
If you need to confirm your Parcel / Member number, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Food & Beverage Update
It has been such a joy to have the lounge filled with life again and we thank you for your patience over the past few months. We will be opening before the end of August if everything goes to plan. Here is what we have accomplished so far:
- New Lounge and Bistro Furniture
- New Menu
- Reinstate Thursday Night Music
- Host member only events
- New contactless QR code ordering
Though we have made a lot of progress, we are still working on a few crucial elements of our operations. Staffing continues to be challenging and we are working on several ideas that will better support the opening of the lounge and the expansion of services in the snack bar:
- We have the We Proudly Serve Starbucks program ready to launch as soon as the equipment arrives—estimated for August 20th.
- Napa Technology wine stations for self-service are scheduled for delivery August 16th.
We appreciate the homeowners that have come out to support Thursday Night Music and look forward to seeing the ones that have yet to join us. If you haven't had a chance to check out our new look in the Lounge, please come by and see us one of these Thursday nights! We have boat sighting contests and have even had a pair of frolicking camels on the beach (photo evidence below—in the Photos from the Community section). The music is great, the food is delicious (and complimentary), but the best part is the company!
August Live Music Lineup:
- 4th- Mike Z
- 11th-David Hamilton
- 18th- Jacob Phillip Benning
- 25th- Fresh Air
We are looking forward to announcing our reopening date and welcoming everyone back for dinner very soon.
Chef Kenneth and Anna Taylor, General Manager
Golf News
Greetings members! Please see below for important information regarding our day-to-day operations and exciting things happening in August.
Annual Golf Passes are still available and run through the fiscal year. We offer 2 passes: Monday – Friday (with restrictions) & Unlimited Passes (no restrictions), for walking or riding. Golf Car Passes are available as well as Trail Fees for those of you who have your own golf car.
If you have any questions, stop by the golf shop and we can help you analyze the advantages or restrictions and when it’s best to purchase a pass or pay as you go depending on how many rounds you project playing.
Junior Golf & Tennis Camps: What a great week with all the juniors! We welcomed many new and returning students who worked hard and shared many laughs along the way. The kids were great sports but definitely knew how to put on their game faces during each skills competition.
Special thanks to Bob Caldwell, Director of Golf, Jonathan Ivory, Superintendent, and fellow instructors, Carter Merlaud & Dominic Neri for helping make it a memorable week with the juniors.
We were also fortunate to have Gienna (& Barb) Gonnella return to instruct tennis who received nothing but praise for their approach to the game, positivity and constant enthusiasm! Well done, we appreciate all you do for the juniors and look forward to having you back next summer!!
Men’s Club News: Net Championship update. The finals match included defending champ Mark Brandt versus Rick Surlow. Both played better as the month progressed, but it was Rick Surlow who played some of his best golf of the competition to take the title! Congratulation to our new Net Champion, Rick Surlow and to Mark Brandt for making it all the way to the finals 😊
Golf Shop Hours & Golf Car Return: We are open at 7:00 am and close at 6:00 pm. For afternoon play, we request golf cars be returned to the golf shop no later than 6:30pm.
Short Game Practice & Warm-Up Center Hours: Keep that short game sharp! We have a putting green, chipping green and practice bunker near the golf shop (upper parking lot).
The Warm-Up Center is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. We have a total of 6 hitting stations at our warm-up center (three per side). This schedule allows our staff enough time to pick up the balls, tidy up, and get everything ready for the next morning’s play.
Lessons are Available: Whether you are brand new to golf, returning, or need help with a certain area of your game, stop by to ask about our lesson options. We offer individual lesson, series or clinics. We look forward to helping you with your game!
All members and guests, even those with annual passes, are required to check in the pro shop prior to your round. This provides us an opportunity to register your round and let you know about golf car path rules and any notable course condition alerts.
Tee Times: Members who wish to make tee times for themselves or guests should continue to book at least 7 to 10 days in advance (up to 60 days max), to help secure your preferred tee times. You may book online by visiting our website www.bodegaharbourgolf.com or, call the pro shop directly, 707-875-3539 during normal business hours. Afternoon calls are recommended to help avoid delays while we check-in golfers during peak hours. Remember to present your BHHA Member ID at check-in in to receive your preferred member rates.
Please note, when setting up your online customer account to book tee times on EZ Links, you’ll be requested to provide your credit card number to secure the reservation. Your credit card will not be charged until you check-in at the pro shop unless you fail to show or cancel within the required 24 hours. During check-in, you have an option to pay via cash, credit card, or your member charge account, but be prepared to show member ID.
Additionally, when booking a tee time, you will more than likely be paired with someone else. To help us maximize rounds and revenue, please remember to cancel tee time(s) or reduce players within the 24-hour cancellation period to avoid being charged in case you cannot play.
More on our Cancellation Policy: Members, if you or your guest(s) cannot make your reserved tee times, please remember to cancel within 24 hours. To cancel, you can call the member line, 707-875-3539 during normal business hours. If you’re unable to speak to the golf shop staff in person, do not leave a message as the cancellations are time-sensitive, but rather e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. within the cancellation window. This email is monitored by our managers who can make the necessary changes.
Help us, help you! If any household cancels outside of the cancellation window, we’ll note your account and allow two warnings per year. If it happens a third, and/or subsequent times, you’ll be charged 50% of the applicable rate to help offset lost revenue, even if the household has annual pass(es). Our goal is to avoid that circumstance, and make the tee times available for others to book.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
MEMBERS ONLY & ACCOMPANIED GUEST PLAY:
9-HOLE PLAY: Options for 9-hole play are the BACK 9 in the mornings from 7:30 – 8:30AM, and available during twilight time on the FRONT 9.
Additional members only play is offered daily after 4 pm (daylight savings). Remember to check in with the golf shop and depending on play, we may be able to send you off the Front 9 or Back 9.
GIFT CARDS: Gift cards can be redeemed at the golf shop for green fees, merchandise, or Food & Beverage at the Bluewater Lounge or Snack Bar!! Stop by the golf shop or restaurant to purchase, OR, order online at your convenience, just click the following link:
CLICK HERE FOR GIFT CARD ORDERS
SNACK BAR HOURS: Open daily from approximately 7:30am to 4:00pm (weather-permitting).
The snack bar has been expanded and includes an outdoor grill, smoker, additional seating, and daily specials. Our goal is to run the BBQ every day, when staffing levels permit.
Links at Bodega Harbour & Bluewater Lounge App: Our new app offers many features, which include special offers, GPS, scoring/posting to GHIN, booking tee times & more! To download, scan this QR code then follow the installation prompt:
OR, visit your Google Play, or iPhone App Store and search “The Links at Bodega Harbour” to download the app, it’s free!
PHOTO CONTEST: This month’s winner are the juniors who participated in golf and tennis camps. Please see attached for a few action shots. We're already looking forward to next year. :)
As always, please send any special photographic moments from around the links and Bodega Harbour to me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I’m happy to receive these works of art and feature them on our newsletter and BHHA Website!
We hope you’re able to get out to enjoy golf, or other amenities, and savor the sights and sounds & flavors of Bodega Harbour very soon!
John Neri
Assistant Golf Professional
The Links at Bodega Harbour
New Member Rates effective July 1, 2022
BHWGC News
On July 12, 2022, the BHWGC hosted their annual Guest Day. Because of several months of hard work by Laura Dangers it was a smashing success! Thanks so much, Laura, for everything you did to make Guest Day happen. Also a big thank you to Lissa Vechhio for making sure everything came together while the participants were golfing. Our members and their many guests were so lucky to have a wonderful Bodega Bay day on our beautiful golf course with comfortable temperatures and just a little wind.
Every team enjoyed golfing with friends and, at times, were having so much fun that we had to be reminded that this was also a friendly competition. After golf, the ladies were treated to lunch at a block-party setting on Sanderling Court. Thank you to the residents of Sanderling Court for welcoming a bunch of hungry lady golfers.
Mary Parks
2022 Captain
And the winners are…
Kelly Adams, Anne Kirsch, Pati Oliver, Yvonne Darling-Atkins
As you can see from these smiling faces, there were many winners:
LITERATURE GROUP
Our Next Meeting: On August 1, Joan Howarth will present The Shipping News by E. Annie Prouix. “In E. Annie Prouix’s vigorous, quirky novel, set in present-day Newfoundland, there are indeed a lot of drownings. The main characters are plagued by dangerous undercurrents, both in the physical world and in their own minds.” The protagonist, Quoyle, after losing his wife, sets out for his ancestral home with his Aunt Agnis Hamm and his daughters, Bunny and Sunshine. In Killick-Claw, Quoyle finds work at The Gammy Bird, the local newspaper. Here the reader meets the staff, “true brigands of outback journalism.” “Throughout The Shipping News, the sinuousness of E. Annie Prouix’s prose seems to correspond with the "textures of the weather and sea” and the novel is “almost an encyclopedia of Newfoundland’s slang and lore.”
(Review by Howard Norman, The New York Times)
The Literature Group meetings are held the first Monday of each month. (If the date has a holiday conflict, the meetings are typically moved to the following Monday.) The August meeting will be held via ZOOM at 3:30 pm. A ZOOM link will be sent out prior to the date. If you have any questions about the Literature Group, please contact Maurine Harkness (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Cindy Borisoff (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Come join us!
Enjoy, learn, and grow READING!!!
Sea Gals News
Sea Gals has some up and coming dates to mark on your calendars!
We will have a picnic at Rangle Ranch on August 3rd from 11AM to 2PM. There will be hiking options after eating for those who are interested. The park is known for its oaks and includes back county trails along the prime bird-watching habitat of the Atascadero Creek. Please reply as soon as possible on the evite for Sea Gals or to Tish Conway (925) 588-1212.
The annual Boat Trip will be on the New Sea Angler with Rick Powers. The date is September 9th, leaving from Porto Bodega at 6:30 for a 1 ½ hour tour out to Sea Rock. Guests can be invited. Bring an appetizer to share and your own beverage of choice. DRESS WARMLY! The cost is around $40. per person, Sea Gals will receive an Evite shortly. To RSVP send your checks to SEA GALS, PO Box 1543 Bodega Bay, Ca. 94923. Space is limited so your check is your reservation for this event.
The Exercise Group - Is Alive and Thriving in the Harbour!
It’s never too late to start, and all fitness levels are welcome.
8:30 -9:30 am Monday, Wednesday and Friday tune into ZOOM to join the exercise group.
Enjoy a workout in the safety and comfort of your home. Betsy Spann, who hosts the meeting, is a certified fitness instructor has lead the Yacht Club exercise group as a community service to all Bodega Harbour residents since 2014.
A little stretching and balance helps stimulate your mind and maybe help your golf game too.
If you want to click on at 8:30 in the morning from your home, reach out to Betsy for the link and password at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text to 707.849.8896
Board of Directors
Join us in welcoming Greg Kirsch to the Board of Directors. He was appointed at the Board meeting held on May 3, 2022.
Design Review
FENCES IN BODEGA HARBOUR?
You may have noticed there are very few fences in Bodega Harbour. That is intentional. The Development was originally designed to be open and free of obstructions between and among homes. Views are paramount for all owners.
Article VII, section 7.12 of our current BHHA CC&Rs states:
“7.12. Other Accessory Improvements. All property lines shall be kept free and open. No fences, hedges or walls shall be permitted, nor shall excavations and/or devices installed to maintain natural drainage be undertaken, without the specific approval of the Design Review or Landscape Review committee. The owner shall do such things as are reasonably necessary to maintain the open feeling of the Development.”
“Enclosures and wall screens” are allowed by the Design Review Committee (DRC) in some circumstances. If they are visible from the street our Design Guidelines, Section 5.14, require that they “shall be constructed with materials that match those used on the exterior of the dwelling, unless specifically approved otherwise.”
Screen walls which are proposed to provide protection from golf balls and which extend outside the building envelope may be considered on a case-by-case basis provided they do not obstruct views. The DRC does approve construction not to exceed 18” above original grade in the setback areas, and they often approve retaining walls near the property line that meet the 18” maximum height above original grade requirement.
A Design Review application and supporting documents must be submitted for any proposed exterior improvement. There are height and location limits for any proposed enclosure or wall screen.
For more information contact Dan Belfiori, BHHA Design Consultant at 707-696-5258
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
"In my excursions around the community I have noticed that many homes do not have address numbers that can be seen from the street. In the event of an emergency first responders will have difficulty identifying your home if they cannot see the address numbers. This could lead to serious consequences if they cannot find you. Please make sure your address numbers are placed somewhere visible from the street. Your safety is our number one concern."
-Mary Angelo
If you plan on performing any type of exterior renovations you MUST contact Mary Angelo in the Administration office. Exterior renovations include re-staining (otherwise known as painting).
Design Review meetings are held the second Monday of every month. If you wish to submit an application for review it must be submitted at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting. Applications should be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. At this time the meetings are held via teleconference, therefore electronic submissions are preferred.
Applications can be found on the BHHA website or reach out to Mary by e-mail.
When signed in to BHHA.org, hover over the Members tab and click Design Review. If you are signed in now, click the "All Things Design Review" button below to go directly to the page:
Landscape Review
Bodega Harbour Landscaping
Consider Moist Plants
Summer in the Harbour
Welcome to Summer, the overcast season in the Harbour. Aren’t we lucky? Because of the moisture we have in the air, and hence in the ground, we tend to not be in a high fire danger zone, knock on wood. So, as we look at our gardens, let’s take a new twist.
Here in Bodega Bay, we deal with high winds, gophers, field mice, deer, & more. We tend to think in terms of what won’t the deer eat, what will the gophers avoid? Well, let’s think of something else...what burns the slowest?
Our gardens are always changing, consider that 15-year-old Rosemary with leggy dry wooden branches under the green & oily rosemary, might be time to go, and replace with a succulent, possibly high in moisture content.
Here are some helpful hints when considering your landscaping:
1. Remove all tree branches at least 6 feet from the ground.
- Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees. Lack of vertical space can allow a fire to move from the ground to the brush to the treetops like a ladder.
- If you have any gutters that accrue leaves, they should be cleaned regularly.
- Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, & small branches… leaving a depth of about three inches.
2. Let’s be aware of ladder fuels, wicking fuels, & fire-prone vegetation e.g., old rosemary hedges, old Tea Trees, old, leggy, or dead echium (Pride of Madera). Even some ornamental grasses can be fire prone.
While we currently have a common area eradication plan of dead and dying echium and other invasive species in the works, our goal is to have our subdivision surrounded by living plants or clear open space. Your removal of dead and dying plants on your property will not only help this effort, you will be working to significantly mitigate fire risk for your home and those of your neighbors.
3. Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, concrete, and other noncombustible mulch materials that are in keeping with the landscape guidelines.
4. Some noncombustible plants to consider are Calandrinia, Ceanothus, Cysts, Manzanita, Rives, consider the spot you need. Do you need a low sprawling ground cover, or a vertical color making a statement?
5. Be conscious of flammable debris, woodpiles, patio furniture, in the area known as your defensible space.
Proper landscaping for wildfire isn’t necessarily the same thing as a well-maintained yard. This type of landscaping focuses on plant characteristics, properties and maintenance to resist the spread of fire to your home.
The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your landscape wildfire resilient and reduce the risk to your home. Through proper planning and routine maintenance, you can conserve water and create a beautiful landscape.
Calandrinia, in the succulent family. In general around 150 species that bear colorful flowers in shades from red to purple and white. Pictured here is a Calandrinia in Pink.
Calandrinia is a succulent that forms a mound of fleshy, narrowly oval and pointed blue green leaves 4 - 6 inches long. From Spring into Fall, it produces a breathtaking display of brilliant flowers along tall, slender stems above the evergreen foliage.
Shasta Daisies seem to do great here at the coast, and can grow to be anywhere from six inches to four feet tall. As they slowly multiply, they can make quite a display!
Enjoy your coastal garden!
This time of year, succulents, Hydrangeas, Shasta Daisies and more are blooming for our enjoyment.
HELP PREVENT SPREAD of AVIAN FLU:
Due to the recent outbreak of avian flu affecting birds in Sonoma County, please drain and cover bird baths and remove feeders. Please encourage your neighbors to do the same. To report sick or dead birds, please call CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: 707-428-2002.
Announcements, Updates, & Information Links
Excerpt from the 2022-23 Annual Disclosures
Regarding July 1, 2022 HOA Dues Increase:
Bodega Habour Homeowner's Association
Pro Forma Budget 2022/2023
Approved by the Board May 21, 2022
"The Board has approved the following Pro Forma Budget to allow for continuance of operations and in compliance with the Davis Stirling Act. The budget for fiscal year 2022/2023 includes an increase in assessments from $822 to $975 per quarter (18.6%). Historically, assessments have been increased only one time since 2004, a 10% increase in 2011. Over this eighteen-year period the CPI has increased by 43% and Northern California construction costs have increased by 79%. BHHA operating costs have gone up significantly over the same period, and additionally our aging infrastructure and amenities need attention, including renovations and upgrades.
We have highlighted some of the key factors and changes in this budget compared to prior year.
Highlights
- First increase in assessments in 11 years, and only the second in 18 years.
- Increases in Homeowner dues, golf fees and food & beverage pricing.
- Average increase in payroll of 7.5% for cost-of-living increase for staff. Current CPI is at 8.5%.
- Total expenses are increasing by 16% compared to prior year. Increases in operating expenses are due to rising costs from inflation and the reclassification of some repair and maintenance costs previously funded from the reserve account which will be funded from operations going forward.
- Increase in reserve fund contribution by 3% based on reserve study funding level."
(Please follow link above excerpt for complete report)
- Reminder, per Ordinance 11-20.100 vehicles must be moved on county maintained public streets after 72 hours. The streets in Bodega Harbour are county maintained and therefore fall under County Ordinances. Your vehicle is subject to tow if it isn’t removed/moved after 72 hours.
- Do you want to save paper? Time? Money? Sign up for statements to be sent to you by e-mail only. Every month statements are printed for those with a balance due, and every quarter they are printed for many members as a reminder that it's time for quarterly dues payments again. This results in a lot of printing, paper, envelopes, and postage. If you would like to receive your statement by e-mail only, and forego the paper copy, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, parcel or member number, and the email address you'd like to use for receiving statements. THANK YOU!
Errant Golf Ball Procedures (Revised March 2020)
ACH Authorization Form (Revised Feb 2022 - now fillable)
Photos from the Community
First evening back at the Bluewater Lounge!
Thanks to Carmen Estrada
Camels on the Beach
Thanks to Melissa Fiddler
Bunker Project 18th Hole
Thanks to Tom O'Kane
Bodega Bay & County Happenings
Come Help Pull Invasives!
Non-native, invasive plants such as ice plant, European beachgrass, and sea rocket are outcompeting our native plants especially in coastal areas.
The Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has teamed up with State Parks and Sonoma County Regional Parks to improve native plant habitat by removing invasives from sensitive native areas.
Bodega Head State Park
Second Sunday of each month
10am-1am
Doran Park
every Wednesday
9:30am-1pm
Call or text Alynn (707) 321-1748 or Jan (707) 569-4724
Thank you!
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