THE HARBOUR TIDINGS
—MARCH 2022—
BODEGA HARBOUR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
In This Issue
- General Manager Update
- Community Rules
- Seeking Members with Expertise
- Bluewater Bistro - March 17th specials
- Golf
- Literature Group - March 7th!
- CERT
- Exercise Group
- Community Calendar
- Board of Directors
- Design Review
- Landscape Review
- Announcements, Updates, Information Links
- Bodega Bay & County Happenings
- Local Services (Ads)
General Manager Update
It's been a very busy start to the calendar year, can you believe we're already in March?
In the Administration office, we are working on an audit of the Bruhn Ranch storage area. If you are currently renting a space there, please contact Moe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let her know:
if you wish to continue to rent a space
if you no longer need the space
OR, if you're interested in renting a new space, then please indicate what type of vehicle you need to store and if you have a preferred spot.
As you may know, the Board recently changed the policy for the gym to require reservations. This is for the safety of anyone who uses the gym. The State of California & subsequently the County of Sonoma updated their mask regulations in February to require that only unvaccinated people wear masks in most indoor settings. In an effort to comply, the Board decided to require reservations & verification of vaccination status for those who wish to workout without wearing a mask. We understand that some members & residents may not agree with this decision, but our hope is that by limiting the amount of people in the gym at any given time, the health & safety of each person will be maintained.
If you have a question or suggestion about anything happening on property, please reach out to the department manager or email me directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Regular Board meetings are held every month on the third Saturday and the Zoom link is provided with the Agenda, which is posted to the website as well as emailed & posted on the bulletin board prior to the meeting. All homeowners are encouraged to attend and participate.
If you or anyone you know are not receiving emails from the Association, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There is also a new Member Contact Information form that will help ensure that all members receive important communications from the Association. It can be found on the website, under Members -> Documents. You will need to be logged in to the website to navigate to this page.
Thank you,
Anna Taylor, MBA, PCAM
General Manager
Community Rules
The Board of Directors approved the BHHA Rules, Procedures & Fines at their meeting of February 19, 2022. The new Rules cover resident and guest behavior and combine existing association policies such as the Community Rules, Golf Trespassing & Fines, and the Amenity Use Policy into one set of rules.
A written complaint process was added. There was an Owner comment period that ended January 14th. Numerous very helpful comments were received and many were incorporated into the policy. The Association Rules are being reviewed by our counsel and will be sent to all Owners when that review is completed.
The Association Fine Schedule was revised. The current Discipline Fines & Penalties Fine Schedule can be viewed in the link below.
Seeking Members with Expertise & Experience to Share
Volunteer your expertise / experience in the following areas for short term consults and/or projects in the following areas of ongoing BHHA Strategic Planning
- Questionnaire design and/or analysis
- Hybrid meeting technology and its implementation
- Website design and evaluation
- Solar energy projects
Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you're interested. Thank you!
Bluewater Bistro
Current hours:
Sunday & Monday :: noon - 6pm
Tuesday & Wednesday :: closed
Thursday - Saturday :: noon - 8pm
During business hours we are open for take out and delivery throughout Bodega Bay! Please call (707) 875-3513 to place your orders. Curbside is also an option!
We are open for DINE-IN on Fridays and Saturdays ONLY. We are not taking reservations at this time.
Golf News
We continue to enjoy very good weather and great course conditions. With Spring just around the corner, please see below for important information about our day-to-day operations and upcoming events.
Daylight Savings Time: Sunday, March 13th: Remember to ‘Spring’ forward by setting your clocks one hour ahead on Sunday, 3/13 @ 2 am.
St. Patrick’s Day Sale, Thursday, 3/17 – Sunday, 3/20: Stop by our golf shop for savings from 25% to 40% off on select apparel. The sale will run from 3/17 – 3/20!
Men’s Club News: NCGA Fourball Zone Qualifier, Blue Tees, Thursday, March 10th. This is a 2-man team best ball event with one, 2-man team to qualify for the second round of qualifying which will be held at Santa Rosa G & CC on May 23rd. The finals will be held at Poppy Hills GC June 20, 21.
What’s in Your Bag? With Spring almost here, it’s a great time to check your equipment to see if you have any needs for the upcoming season. Whether your grips are wearing thin, your spikes are marginal, or you just need new gloves, stop by the golf shop to see how we can help you. In case you’d like to treat yourself to a bigger upgrade, let us know your needs and we’ll be happy to help!
Golf Shop New Hours: We are currently open daily from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm but starting Sunday, March 13th the new hours will be 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.
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 get 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 play during peak hours. Remember to present your BHHA Member ID at check-in in to receive your member rates.
Please note: when setting up your customer account for booking tee times, 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 24 hours. At check-in, you can pay via credit card, or member account.
GIFT CARDS: Gift cards can be redeemed at the golf shop for green fees, merchandise, or Snack Bar!! Stop by the golf shop to purchase OR order online at your convenience, just click the following link:
CLICK HERE FOR GIFT CARD ORDERS
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.
Please note, when booking a tee time, you will more than likely be paired with someone else. In order to maximize rounds and revenue, please remember to cancel tee time(s) or reduce players within the 24-hour cancellation period to avoid being charged.
9-Hole Play: Options for 9-hole play are the BACK 9 in the mornings from 7:30 – 8:30 am, and available during twilight time on the FRONT 9. Priority goes to those playing 18 holes during peak hours, which also helps avoid gaps in play as some who only play 9 holes would reduce group size and impact the group’s pace of play.
Snack Bar Hours: Open daily from approximately 8 am to 3 pm (weather-permitting).
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!
Update: Thanks to those of you using our app, we now have over 1700 downloads! We appreciate your feedback which helps us to optimize app features and performance.
PHOTO CONTEST: This month’s contribution is from Bob Fisher. Many thanks for these amazing views of our course and Bodega Harbour!
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 look forward to your next visit!
John Neri
Assistant Golf Professional
The Links at Bodega Harbour
LITERATURE GROUP
On March 7, Maurine Harkness will present The Liar’s Dictionary. Written by English writer, Eley Williams, a member of the Royal Society of Literature, this novel is “about lexicography. It’s a celebration of the people who compile dictionaries, even if they’re driven out of their minds in the process.”
“The Liar’s Dictionary tells braided stories. It’s about two sets of characters living in London more than a century apart. Each set toils on Swansby’s New Encyclopaedic Dictionary, most notable for having never been completed…In the 19th century, Peter Winceworth, for fun, begins inserting mountweazels – bogus entries – into the dictionary. In the present day, a young woman named Mallory is updating the dictionary’s language and helping to digitize it.”
“Plot is not why a reader should come to The Liar’s Dictionary. One approaches it instead for highly charged neurotic situations and for Williams’s adept word-geekery.”
(NY Times Review by Dwight Garner, 2021)
Please have a piece of paper and pen/pencil with you at our ZOOM meeting if you want to participate in a voluntary activity planned by Maurine!
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. Meetings are being held on ZOOM at 3:30. A ZOOM link will be sent out to the group prior to each meeting.
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!!!
Bodega Bay CERT Is Seeking Board Members!
BB CERT is seeking several new board members. If you are interested in disaster preparedness and would like to help our organization make Bodega Bay and coastal areas better prepared for a major disaster, please let us know. We are particularly in need of a person with financial skills willing to serve as Treasurer and a person with communications skills willing to provide ongoing consults regarding website maintenance, social media and outreach generally. We have regular board meetings quarterly (currently by Zoom) and special meetings as needed. We would ask a new board member to complete basic CERT training when available and to participate with us in our occasional classes and community service. If you are interested, please be in touch with any board member or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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
Community Calendar
Please click the link below for the Community Calendar, which contains the dates & times of events scheduled in the current month, many of which have been mentioned in this newsletter.
Board of Directors
Design Review
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). Applications can be found on the BHHA website or reach out to Mary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When signed in, 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
Spring Is In The Air
March 2022
Spring is on its way here in on the Coast. It’s time for bocce ball, picnics with friends, and walks on the beach. It’s also time to take a look at our gardens.
Just some quick reminders:
- Here’s to hoping that many of the trees on our coastal properties were trimmed over the past winter. Our landscape regulations state that “Trees must be regularly maintained and trimmed to the roof lines of the residence. Vegetation trimming or removal is required even if a complaint has not been made in the past, regardless of the age of the vegetation.” Trim your trees annually or semiannually so they stay healthy and avoid risk of necessary removal due to view obstructions. Tree trimming in winter months during dormancy is preferable as many birds have migrated away from our Coast.
- Trees, shrubs & plants must be trimmed so that no portion is blocking a neighbor’s view. Maintenance infractions result once they begin to grow over curbs & onto the street.
- Soft Landscaping- For new or re-landscaping plans, please include samples of mulch, stone, gravel to be used. Our goal is always to have landscaping blend and comply with regulations.
- Once you’ve cleaned your garden from Winter, you might lay down a nice thick layer of mulch to deter weeds and retain moisture.
- If you have a birdbath in your garden, be sure to check & change daily. Some of these cold mornings the baths have turned to ice.
- Bodega Harbour has had some good-sized storms followed by balmy days, followed by record cold. Please look in your garden and remove the large shrubs & bushes that did not make it through Winter.
You might consider adding a bit of color & fragrance to the garden, bringing butterflies & bees, while also protecting your home & garden from mosquitos and flies. Here are just a few ideas.
- Lavender
Lots of our coastal gardens have lavender, and the good news is it deters mosquitos, fleas, and flies. Place the dried lavender in sachets in drawers & around your home. some varieties can also be used for baking & in teas. - Marigolds
A colorful addition to a garden, marigolds are known for an oil that is a repellant to mosquitos. - Geraniums
Geraniums are a pretty flower that can add color, with its lemon scent, similar to citronella. Plant in a pot can place near your favorite outdoor seating area. - Peppermint
This minty fragrance deters creepy-crawly families, and ants and mosquitos steer clear. Even mice don’t like the minty smell. - Garlic
This fragrant herb help keeps mosquitos away by planting in a garden pot and you may enjoy a small harvest. - Rosemary
Rosemary grows quite well here at the coast and is a natural repellant to mosquitos, flies and moths while attracting bees and butterflies. A savory culinary herb, deer avoid it.
Enjoy your coastal garden this Spring, as bulbs & plants come to life.
Garden Beautiful for Spring
We will be accepting Garden Beautiful Contest nominations of your gardens and those of your neighbor’s beginning April 1st! Share your photos and the property address and owners name to earn one of three cash awards! To submit, please use the link on the top of the Landscape Review page on the website.
Announcements, Updates, & Information Links
- 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.
- February statements are being mailed the first week of March, but only for those with a balance due. If you have any questions, please contact Jetan Sahni, the new Property Controller at (707) 875-3519 x220 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- LOST & FOUND: There are a number of items at the Administration office that have been turned in. If you are missing something, please contact Moe Iversen at (707) 875-3519 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Errant Golf Ball Procedures (Revised March 2020)
ACH Authorization Form (Revised Feb 2022 - now fillable)
Bodega Bay & County Happenings
The Bodega Bay Fire Protection District published a statement by Asst. Chief Steve Herzberg on their Facebook page that we wanted to share with you. (See below.)
On March 2, LAFCO UNANIMOUSLY Approved the Annexation of the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District Into the Sonoma County Fire District.
What Does That Mean? Here are the Answers to Some of Your Questions
Introduction: Why Annexation Now?
For seven years, the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District has been searching for the perfect annexation partner. That partner is the Sonoma County Fire District. And, finally, the path is clear to go there.
First and foremost, annexation will bring the added staff needed to serve the residents and visitors to the beautiful but dangerous Sonoma Coast.
By adding staff, BBFPD will be able to properly deploy its engine, ambulance and boat in a manner that meets the safety standard established by the National Fire Protection Association. Our firefighters and community deserve no less than proper staffing.
In addition, the annexation will create a stable, sustainable, District — one that can assure our staff competitive salaries and career jobs. The revolving door that has seen 15 of BBFPD’s highly trained paramedics leave for better paying jobs, will be closed. Stability will help the new District maintain the excellent levels of service the community has been receiving.
Finally, annexation will take the heavy financial burden of protecting the coast off of the Bodega Bay parcel owners and spread it where it belongs; the average individual home parcel tax will be reduced from around $524 to around $185. The inequity of having a small group of parcel tax payers cover the costs of serving a heavily tourist driven population will be eliminated.
What Do the Firefighters and Board Think?
The Staff, Board and volunteers strongly support the annexation into the Sonoma County Fire District. The two Districts, soon to be one, share the same union. Because we also share a common ambulance zone border, we have been working together for years — each covering the other when necessary. Our leadership teams are integrated at the highest levels and are jointly making strategic decisions. In preparation for this annexation, all of us have been working toward making the transition to the new, stronger District seamless.
What’s Next? The LAFCO Process
The annexation must be approved by Sonoma County LAFCO, the Local Agency Formation Commission. We anticipate a swift approval.
But wait, haven’t we been there before? Yes, we have. A couple of years ago, we successfully went through the LAFCO process. The agency approved our consolidation with SCFD. The community approved. But, the annexation failed because the funding from the County, that we needed to close the deal, never materialized.
This time, things will be different. We have a complete funding package in hand. And, we anticipate full support from the LAFCO staff and commissioners.
On March 2, 2022, the commission approved our application.
The commission set a period of 35 days (until the April meeting), for the community to “protest” the annexation. The voters within the BBFPD will receive notice from LAFCO that they can express opposition to the annexation. Those who support the annexation need not do anything.
For the reasons set forth in this FAQ, we do not anticipate opposition. Annexation is the right thing to do.
If there is not sufficient opposition to require a full vote of the current District, at the first meeting after the end of the protest period, the Commission will approve the annexation.
After papers are shuffled and filed, we anticipate a “go-live” date, as a part of SCFD, of July 1, 2022.
We will become Station 10 in the Sonoma County Fire District — a stronger, diverse, and stable agency that will best serve all who need help in our service areas.
Tell Us More About the Sonoma County Fire District
For years, we have been trying to join SCFD. It is a dynamic, forward thinking District that shares our commitment to service, Honesty, Respect and Integrity. We are finally there and we thank our community and supporters for helping us reach this destination.
SCFD is a pioneer in consolidating disparate agencies. It was initially formed by the consolidation of the Windsor Fire District, Rincon Valley Fire District, Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, and Bennet Valley Fire District. It then added the Russian River Fire Protection District (we were supposed to join then but didn’t make it because of a funding deficit). And, recently added Forestville.
The end result is a large District with a small town sensitivity.
No matter the hurdles thrown at our consolidation, SCFD has steadfastly stayed the course. Placing service first, and recognizing the synergy that we bring to each other, SCFD never wavered and worked hard to get us to our final destination. That loyalty will redound to the benefit of the new District.
After annexation, the new District will have 10 Stations — each staffed properly to meet safety standards. That will give us the depth and redundancy we’ve lacked for years. Being a part of a larger organization will give our staff stability, equitable pay, and career advancement opportunities. All of this, while being a part of an organization that can use its size to attain the efficiencies of scale so as to give the tax payers more for their money.
Like BBFPD, SCFD is an Advanced Life Support ambulance provider. Recently, SCFD has added the Reach helicopter, that we use so often on the Coast, to its emergency response team.
Consolidation will result in a higher level of service, stability and sustainability. We look forward to being a part of SCFD and trust you do, too.
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