December 2020 Newsletter

 

                                                 

The Board wishes everyone in the building a very happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas. We thank our dedicated Building Manager Joseph Arellano and our janitorial staff: Victor Gonzalas and Francisco and Maria Cardenas. We also salute our longtime janitor Marvin Mendez who left due to the pandemic. It takes a village to keep up this vertical village of 118 units. The Board appreciates the cooperation you have given us by wearing your masks and with all the new and changing pandemic restrictions. It hasn’t been easy. We also thank our pandemic Buddy System – which is still in place in case someone is sequestered and needs help. Hopefully the pandemic will end in the near future. In the meantime we really are in this together. Happy Holidays.

 

Dear Boardie,

Q. My neighbor is chain smoking on his balcony. My wife and I are miserable! It’s not fair that we have to keep our sliding glass door closed on a beautiful San Diego day, just to avoid choking to death! What should I do?

Q.  Have you thought of gently mentioning it to the neighbor? You could simply ask them to smoke inside and remind them that we’re not allowed to smoke on our balconies (or the catwalk, hallways, lobbies or any of the common areas).

A. We tried something like that.

Q. By “something” what you mean…?

A. Every time he lit up we blasted Heavy Metal music just to show them how it felt.

Q. And they didn’t take the hint?

A. Nope. Still smoking like a chimney.

Q. So you’ve given up?

A. Nope. Then we trashed them on Twitter and NextDoor.com.

Q. And that didn‘t nip the problem in the bud?

A. Nope. Nada. Goose eggs.

Q. Your HOA has excellent ways of dealing with the problem. Have you considered filing a Violation Report against that neighbor? That report would go to the Board. After a warning letter is issued, if the smoker is still smokin’, they would be called before the Board and possibly issued a $250 fine.

Q. We don’t know exactly which neighbor it is.     

A. That happens all the time. Once the smoke starts, quickly go outside and look up at your balcony. Use binoculars if necessary. Once you ID the culprit, you can fill out a Violation Report. Remember: People tend to be cooperative. Sometimes they just don’t know the rules.   

     

Boardie recently received a telepathic message from the trash chute:

 

Dear Kind Sir,

With all due respect, permit me to school you in the fine art of garbage elimination.

First of all, don’t ask why trash chutes is not spelled trash shoots. Everyone asks and no one knows. Fun fact: Trash Chutes come in sizes. I’m an Extra Small which means I’m only 24 by 18 inches wide. I have a very strict diet due to my petite size. For instance, I’m smaller than a pizza box. Most pizza boxes will choke me. One open pizza box will cause a blockage. Then everyone throws their garbage on top of that, but they don’t know it’s not getting to the dumpster. Soon I’m clogged all the way up to 12. Will it be easy to unclog me? No it will not! It’s a dirty messy job. Another thing that kills me? Stretchable Force Flex Glad bags. Why? Because I’m not stretchable! I’m considered skinny by my peers. Sure those bags start innocently enough, flat enough, but one big party and miracle of miracles you could throw in the kitchen sink and still have room. Once your garbage collection resembles Santa’s Bag, I guarantee it will choke me. I am not glad over those Glad Bags. ‘Nuff said.  

                                                      

Covid Updates

As of this writing, no one in the building has caught Covid. Yay!

Everyone must wear a mask in the common areas - elevators and stairwells of the building.

Wash your hands upon entering your unit.

Practice Social Distancing.

Only 10 people allowed in the pool area at a time and NO GUESTS allowed.

Only 2 people allowed in the gym at a time and they must wear masks.

 

Newsletter Written by Karyl Miller and Edited by Trish Mylet

BALCONY BEAUTIFICATION

Dear Boardie,

Q. Why does the catwalk railing look shiny and new while mine looks dull and old?

SIMPLE ANSWER: Our cleaning staff cleans and shines the railing weekly whereas you rarely or possibly never have cleaned yours.

Q. Okay I admit it. It’s been years. Is there any hope for my balcony railing?

A. Yes!

LONG ANSWER:  All you have to do is A) clean your railing with soap and water. B) Rub lightly with soft steel wool. C) Shine with a soft cloth saturated with ZEP or WEIMAN Stainless Steel Polish. Yes, it smells uggy like WD40, but that smell will dissipate.

Q. What if I hate the smell of Eau de WD40?

A. Wear rubber gloves, a clothes pin on your nose and direct the spray into your soft cloth.

Q. What if I don’t have time to go to the hardware store to buy this?

Q. Why spend money if I only need a few spritzes?

A. Building Manager Joseph will lend you a can for ONE DAY or less.

Dear Boardie,

Once my railing is clean, my balcony floor will look dirtier than ever!

Q. What’s the easiest way to clean my #$^&*# textured balcony floor?

A. Wait for a rainstorm and while every balcony is wet, sweep with a stiff broom.

Q. What about when it’s dry?

LONG ANSWER: It’s important NOT to drip down on your neighbor, so do NOT throw a bucket of soapy water across your balcony (no matter how tempting). You’ve got to clean just like Cinderella: Get a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush. Get down on your hands and knees and scrub a few feet at a time. (Wear headphones playing Lizzo if that makes you happy.) Sop up the water using the entire Society section of the San Diego Union Tribune. Then scrub a few feet more. Sop up the water using the entire Sports section. Repeat. Building Manager Joseph will lend you kneepads for one day if you ask him nicely.

Dear Boardie,

Q. Why are plants prohibited on balconies?

A. Plants are permitted AS LONG AS they have a plastic, non-porous

plate underneath.

Q. Why?

A. Despite the protective coating painted on top of your balcony, the concrete is porous. If water gets into the concrete – either from a plant, a wet rug or from a hole where the fencing meets the concrete, it can travel down to the rebar that holds up the structure. Once the rebar gets rusty, it eats the surrounding concrete, compromising the strength of your balcony. We want your balcony protected. If you spot a possible water intrusion, notify Joseph immediately.

                                         ***

September 2019 

Everything You Wanted to Know about Pacific Tower 

But Were Afraid to Ask 

Even people who have lived here years don’t know everything about the building, so here’s a handy list of facts you can save, plus a few cool phone numbers and websites. Rules listed aren’t the ONLY rules, but these are the most frequently misunderstood. Vendors and tradesmen listed are some we use but you are always free to choose your own.

Please visit our blog http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org for a free digital copy of our Rules and Regulations as well as other forms and helpful articles about the building. Download all our forms. Please see, call or text on-site Building Manager Joseph Arellano, with any and all questions, no matter how trivial at 619.339.3490.

AFTER-HOURS BUILDING EMERGENCIES: Menas Realty Emergency line 619.744.9883

BALCONIES: No smoking, rugs, laundry/wetsuits, towels, storage, BBQs, decorative string lights or
plants without plastic plates underneath them.

CATWALK: No smoking, party-ing, loud yakking, running, noise, music, wet towels, wetsuits, rugs.

CONSTRUCTION: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday –Friday. Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM.

ELEVATOR RESERVATION FORM: Required for use of the elevator for delivery of furniture or removal of remodeling debris etc. $50 per day. Available on our blog, website or in the Lobby Office.

GARBAGE DISPOSALS: No Drano, celery, artichokes, etc. and please run lots of cold water while grinding.

HANDYMAN: West Coast Repairs (Doug Peters) 619.760.7975

KEYS: Your large square key opens the Front Lobby doors, the Dumpster Room, The Exterior stairway doors, Lower Garage Lobby Doors, Pool and Rec Room. You can get a second key for a deposit of $75.

LOWER GARAGE GATE REMOTES are $35, available in the Lobby Office by check or money order.

LAUNDRY: You can use the machines on any floor. Leave washer door open after using to prevent mold. Empty lint filter after using dryer. Do NOT prop open Laundry Room Doors by order of the Fire Department.

LOBBY OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays. Call or text 619.339.3490.

LOCKSMITHS: If the Lobby Office does NOT have your spare key you will need to call a locksmith. Never leave your spare key in your laundry room locker as they are easily broken into.

Dup-a-Key 858.750.2224 (local in PB), Mike Grizzly Keys 858.444.0437.

MAID/CLEANING SERVICES: Please tell maids not to throw boxes down the trash chute. (Boxes clog the chute.)

Spanish: Por favor no tire cajas o bolletas por el ventedero dobasura.

French: Ne pas jeter de boîtes dans la goulotte.

Please don’t shake mops or beat rugs on the catwalk or balconies.

Spanish: No sacuda los trapeadores ni golpee las alfombras en la pasarela or balcones.

French: Veuillez ne pas secouer les vadrouilles ni battre les tapis sur les podiums ou les balcons

Don’t dump water on or over the balcony.

Spanish: No tirar el agua en el balcon.

French: Ne jetez pas d’eau sur le balcon.

MOVING IN, OUT OR LARGE DELIVERIES: Absolutely forbidden on weekends and evenings. The reason is because there is no staff here to unlock the lobby double doors or to lock down and pad the elevator. Violators may be fined $250, so please take a weekday off work for this purpose and always fill out an elevator reservation form. For last-minute deliveries, text the office at 619.339.3490.

PARKING: You can rent out or swap your parking place only temporarily. It is deeded to your unit.

PEST CONTROL: Dewey Pest 858.272.3611.

PETS: Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Anyone can download Pet Rules from http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org .

PLUMBERS: Report any plumbing question (sink, toilet, or water where it shouldn’t be) to the

Building Manger so he can see the problem before it gets worse.

JC Plumbing 619.477.5001, Emory 858.483.6880, THA 858.284.4753

POOL: Hours 8 AM to 10 PM. Don’t dive, smoke, shout, play loud music or have glass bottles or food.

RECYCLING BINS: For paper, plastic and washed and dried cans. No garbage or containers with food particles on them. Flatten all cardboard boxes. Really large boxes should be flattened and left in the upper garage next to the Dumpster Room doors.

REMODELING: Architectural Rules and forms are available in the Lobby Office and for download at http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org. Know the limits and get written permission from the Board before making revisions to your unit.

STREET PARKING: No parking 1St Wednesday of the month, Wilbur St. (North side) 10 AM to 2 PM and Cass Street (West side) 7 AM to 10 AM. No Parking, 1St Thursday of the month, Wilbur St, (South side) 10 AM to 2 PM Cass St. (East side) 7 AM to 10 AM.

TRASH CHUTE: No cardboard boxes of any kind, EVER! No glass. Put garbage in a sealed plastic bag.

TV/CABLE: Free basic cable plus SHOWTIME and INTERNET from Spectrum comes with your unit. If you want AT&T, premium channels or hi-speed, you will have to contact them and pay for it.

WIFI: In the gym/RecRoom.  Password is posted on the refrigerator so you can Tweet while you stay in shape.

CONTACT INFO: On-Site Maintenance Office, Joseph Arellano Cell 619.339.3490. Land. 858.272.0860 Joseph.PTCA@gmail.com

Menas Emergency After- Hours 619.744.9883. Menas Daytime Non-emergency 858.270.7870

Community Association Manager (at Menas) Aysen Erbil. Email aerbil@menas.com

ANOTHER CAT-ASTROPHE

So sorry to report that Pacific Tower has lost its second cat this year due to falling off the balcony. Even Plexiglas surrounding your balcony railing will not stop a curious cat from leaping onto or trying to leap onto the top of the railing and slipping. Our hearts go out to the owners of the beloved deceased cats.

TOO MANY RULES?

Dear Boardie, why are you so strict in enforcing every rule - even the most trivial?

A.    Whatever rule you’re breaking, ask yourself, what if everybody did it?

     Say A hangs their wet, sandy beach towel over their balcony railing. 

           B sees it, assumes it’s an okay thing to do and drapes his wet suit over his balcony. C sees the towel and wet suit and strings up a laundry line with baby diapers. D decides to air-dry sheets she’s tie-dying for her Etsy shop. E hangs out a duck he’s drying for Chinese cooking class etc. etc. Well, you get the idea.

Flying Saucers?

Got a balcony lined with glorious geraniums or a cute dwarf palm tree? That’s all fine and dandy until you over water and/or forget to have a non-porous saucer under each and every plant.  You do not want have water pooling on the concrete. If the cement becomes soaked over and over, it can contribute to spalling, which is when the water gets inside and the concrete separates from the rebar inside. It’s not just unsightly, it’s bad for the structure. So be nice to the building. Get yourself over to Green Gardens right next door and grab some plastic saucers from the array of saucers they offer in their shed area. 'Nuf said.