Though American white pelicans are typically found along coasts in winter, you can also find large numbers in California’s Central Valley, the Salton Sea, and the Colorado River drainage of California and Arizona.
They are highly gregarious and breed in large, dense colonies. Flocks may forage cooperatively by circling around fish or by driving fish towards the shore where they corral prey for highly efficient, synchronized, bill-dipping feasts. They scoop up prey by dipping their bills in the water, then raising their bills to drain water and swallow their prey.
Sometimes, one group of pelicans will even drive the prey towards another group of pelicans! The American white pelican eats up to three pounds of fish per day. It also eats salamanders and crayfish.
During breeding season much foraging is done at night, with the birds locating fish by touch with frequent dipping of bill; by day, probably locating prey visually.
See a video of the pelicans foraging in Los Lagos. (31 seconds) Allow a few seconds for the video to load before playing.
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From Los Lagos to West Point
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Many of you will have enjoyed watching Joshua Jose (J.J.) Henderson on our tennis courts for the past several years. He and his parents, sister Arianna and grandmother have been living on Ontario Court for over four years. J.J. has been playing tennis since he was six years old and has been competing in International events for a number of years. He spent time as #2 in Junior Tennis in the country. While primarily home schooled, when he attended Palm Desert High School he was captain of the tennis team as well.
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J.J. is now 18 and has just received the high honor of being appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was sponsored by Congressman Raul Ruiz and was accepted to Annapolis Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academy as well. He will be leaving the desert in June for basic training at West Point, about 50 miles North of New York City, where he will continue with tennis as well as his academics. An exciting new adventure for a young man from Los Lagos. Congratulations J.J.
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Unlikely April Showers, Nonetheless Magnificent May Flowers
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Charles Du Bois, architect, 1958
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Ralph Bernard, developer, 1980
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Charles Du Bois, architect, 1961
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Charles Du Bois, 1973
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William Cody, architect, 1961
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John Outcault, architect, 1964
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In 1557, English poet and farmer, Thomas Tusser (1520-1580) penned: “Sweet April showers do bring May flowers.” Fast forward to April 2021. Los Lagos radiates flowers, Modernism Week regroups, and Palm Springs Art Museum reopens.
Celebrate.
Check-out Modernism Week (April 8 – 18, 2021) at modernismweek.com. Although many events are sold out, for example, "Walking The Wells’', many are not.
The storied El Dorado Palms neighborhood of Indian Wells is the focus of this inaugural saunter. This un-gated community began to evolve in the mid-1950s stimulated by development of the prestigious Eldorado Country Club, the opening of Desi Arnaz Indian Wells Hotel (now Indian Wells Resort Hotel), the emergence of Indian Wells Country Club, and the buildout of Desert Bel-Air Estates.
The 2.1-mile excursion provides an invigorating, fast-footed venue to experience the exteriors of ten (1958-1980) diverse and sometimes hidden architectural gems designed by notable architects including William Cody, Charles Du Bois, Charles Doty, John Outcault, John Walling and others.
Integrated along the way are resplendent landscapes and surprising backyard oases. Several beckon tour participants to enter these gardens, marvel, and be welcomed by gracious homeowners. Adding whimsy and zeal, not to be missed are colorful, quirky mailboxes sprinkled throughout the neighborhood’s named lanes, courts, and trails.
The 14.5 square mile City of Indian Wells, incorporated in 1967, has been a Diamond Sponsor of Modernism Week beginning in 2015. Since then our programming has featured 15 divergent activities. These serve to educate and inspire participants as well as our 5,470 residents about the City’s unique history, evolution, power of preservation, and the importance of sustainable modern living.
Maybe one day, a neighborhood tour of Los Lagos could occur. Bet our distinguished architect, Barry Berkus (1935-2012), would be proud.
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What You Need to Know About Your Architectural Committee
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Designed by vectorpouch / Freepik
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This is just a reminder for all of us but especially for the many newer residents of Los Lagos that a group of your fellow residents has volunteered to review requests for changes to your home that are visible from any Los Lagos Common Area. While there are several standard changes that are pre-approved (they are listed on pages 5-7 of our Rules and Regulations) all other desired changes should be submitted for consideration and recommendation by the Architectural Committee. Final approval rests with the HOA Board. These changes include gates, exterior lighting, front doors and garage doors, rain gutters, patio covers and those other changes visible from a common area outside your home.
The reason this process is in place is to ensure that these changes are in keeping with Los Lagos standards, that they enhance the beauty of and maintain the architectural harmony of the community, and that they do not inconvenience your fellow homeowners. The Architectural Variance form can be found on our website at: loslagosiw.com/homeowners/your-home.html.
We are all encouraged to maintain and update the appearance of our homes, and to enhance the Los Lagos community. While the turn around time for Architectural Variance Requests is 30 days, the Committee is committed to completing the review process within 72 hours of its receipt, and in no more than five days should there be questions or a problem. They want to make doing upgrades to your home as simple and smooth as possible.
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Want a Little More Color in Your Life?
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Did you know you can paint your home many different and already approved color schemes? The colors are shown at Dunn Edwards Color-Ark Pro.
Provide this account number, 233257-000, and save up to 37% off LIST PRICE on Dunn-Edwards manufactured paint products. Be sure to have the account number with you when you visit the store, as they will have no other way of giving you the discount.
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Updated versions of the eDirectory and mDirectory with some new email addresses and phone numbers, have been published. You can download one or both below.
Tony Stypinski offers a tip. He keeps the eDirectory on his iPhone as the eDirectory has more content than the mobile version. He saves it in the Books app which gives him the ability to page through the directory, rather than scroll, and to zoom-in or zoom-out easily. We have it on good authority that Android phones have a similar capability using Google Docs.
We still have copies of the printed directory. To pick up a copy, call Ilayna at 760-346-5073 or Patrick at 360-774-0764.
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Please welcome these newcomers to our community. The dates shown indicate when we were advised of the ownership change.
Brian Presnail and LeeAnne Haar, 44045 Superior (2-19-21)
Jeff and Alice Liston, 44060 Superior (2-22-21)
Margaret (Peg) Cowman, 44285 Ontario (3-26-21)
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Homes For Sale in Los Lagos
44032 Erie $575,000
44037 Erie $589,000
Source: zillow.com as of 3/31/21
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A Message from Ilayna Turcott, HOA President
Over the last three years the board has focused on maintenance to keep the community looking bright and new. That phase will be completed in June with the resurfacing the tennis and pickleball courts.
The next phase will concentrate on landscaping, including the entrance to the community and the front yards of our homes. We will be looking at older, tired-looking plants for possible replacement.
The board is developing a budget to start the project.
I am sorry to have to keep harping on the matter of picking up after dogs. The vast majority of dog owners diligently pick up, but there are a few who consistently ignore the rules. They not only create a health hazard, but they infuriate us responsible owners. Perhaps the violators are visitors, or short term renters, which in itself violates city ordinances.
I ask that if you see people violating the rule, please give me their names, or addresses if you don't know names. We will take it from there. We will treat this information as confidential and not disclose the source.
Do not allow pets on the front or back lawn of residences, driveways or patios. Walk pets along streets or grassy areas along perimeter walks, and pick up waste immediately.
We have had complaints of pets relieving themselves on residents' lawns leaving dead/brown spots.
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Besides being a nuisance, uncollected dog waste is a serious problem for our association. Whether you own a dog or not, please remember these facts:
1. The Environmental Protection Agency is aggressive about enforcing the Clean Water Act. Our association could be fined if dog waste goes uncollected.
2. Uncollected dog waste may lead to a special assessment. If fined by the EPA, the association could face a potential special assessment that would be levied against all members—not just dog owners.
3. The appearance and quality of the common areas are known to affect home sales—not just whether and for how much they sell, but how quickly.
4. The more residents complain about dog waste, the more time the property manager must spend on enforcement rather than serving the association.
5. Uncollected dog waste spreads disease and attracts rodents who feed on pet waste.
Source: Community Associations Institute
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Newsletter Contributors
Contributing Writers to This Issue
Linda Blank, Larry Bouffard, Terry Casela, Harris Demetre, Patrick Shannon, Tony Stypinski, Ilayna Turcott
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