Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Michael Schlesinger

By Liz Rickett, photo by Darrell Holdaway

WhenMichael Schlesinger was a high school student, his English teacher told him he wrote so well, he should think about becoming a writer.

Michael, who hated studying English literature, scoffed at the idea. Fast forward 40 years and Michael is not only an attorney specializing in tax law, he is also an author of more than eight books and 80 articles on taxation.

The Welcome Committee is a fun group that delights in welcoming our newest residents to the community. The members pay a visit to the home or can meet a new resident at Rec Ctr 1 to provide a bag stuffed with information to help newcomers to the community. By providing personalized information and a friendly smile, the members immediately make new residents feel at home and let them know there are a multitude of resources available to them simply by being a resident Continued

Michael is a multi-talented individual. He is a gardener, with a plot in the Casta del Sol Vegetable Garden. He is a walker, enjoying the opportunity to walk within Casta and beyond. He is an artist, painting using watercolors, and sculpting. He is a wine maker, claiming his Limoncello superb, and his Merlot ready to taste this year. He is a traveler, having visited more than 50 countries and is excited to visit more. He is a reader, daily reading six newspapers: the Orange County Register, Voice of Orange County, New York Times, Jewish Forward, New York Law Journal, and Washington Post. He is the fourth-generation member of his family to have served in the armed forces.

General Notice –Submitting Candidate Nominations

He is clearly a fighter. During his years at Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, he was arrested for protesting against a barber shop that refused to serve Black patrons. He appealed his conviction and won. Later he helped change the Ohio law that allowed driver’s license exams to be given only in English. His latest battle was with the City of Mission Viejo with suits he initiated regarding voting laws. He is a devoted grandfather. His move to Casta was precipitated by the fact his son and three grandchildren live “just over the hill.” He often walks

This is to inform all Casta del Sol members that a General Notice, as specified with the California Civil Code governing Association Elections, has been posted on the Association Bulletin Board at Recreation Center 1, and a copy can be found under the Election tab on the Casta del Sol website. (Login with your Powerstone account, then select the Homeowners dropdown menu, and then select Election and then 2023 Election.) The title of this General Notice is Notice of Procedures for Submitting Candidate Nominations for Election of Directors.

Election Operating Rules

The Election Operating Rules for 2023 are available for member review on the Casta del Sol website: Login with your Powerstone account, then select the Homeowners dropdown menu, and then select Election and then 2023 Election

President’s Message

Continued from page 1 of CdS. Within our senior living environment, we know how important it is to stay socially and physically active as we age. From the activities, to the clubs, parties and community events, Casta offers many ways to keep active. This committee offers a great way to meet new friends. The Welcome Committee is full at this point in time, with a waiting list to join.

The Library Committee is one of the largest in CdS. We have members who sort, organize, and track the comings and goings of our books. Members purchase new books, both regular and large print. The book clubs we have in Casta are also run by committee members. The new library card system is working out great. If you have not yet picked up your library card, please do so.

We are fortunate to have so many books available to us. The library also has DVDs, along with puzzles for you to take home and return. There is often a community puzzle you can stop by and work on, and if you get stuck, another resident can lend a hand. You can even find minutes of committee meetings and paint schemes for your home in the library. The ever-changing artists in the Library Rotating Gallery has been a wonderful addition to the library and Rec Ctr 1 office. There is a cart by the door with free books and puzzles for our lucky residents. Come by and check it out.

Manager’s Report

Continued from page 1 received within 45 days of the stated due date, the HOA will send a Prelien Letter to the owner as required by Civil Code Section §5650(a) & 5660, by certified and first-class mail, to the owner’s mailing address of record advising the delinquent status of the account and impending collection action. The owner will be charged a $150 fee for the pre-lien letter. In addition, the owner will also be charged a $50 fee for each title check requested and a $50 fee for a Resolution to Lien. Following the pre-lien charge there are additional fees for liens and charges when it goes to the HOA’s delinquency attorney. Please make every effort to pay your dues on time, and if you have something come up and need assistance, please let management know so we can work with you to help solve your situation.

Marilyn Smith, msmith@powerstonepm.com

Meals on Wheels

Age Well Senior Services, Meals on Wheels, has friendly volunteers deliver meals weekdays, either two, four, or six days a week, between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This service is provided to folks who live at home and are unable to prepare their own meals and have little or no assistance to obtain meals. Contact Age Well at (949) 855-8033 for more information.

How to Attend Regular HOA Board Meetings

Regular Board meetings are held on the second Thursday each month at 9 a.m. and the third Thursday each month at 1 p.m. These meetings are held in the Vista Room at Rec Ctr 1. If you cannot attend in person, you can call in or attend virtually on your smart phone, tablet, or computer.

To join via audio, you need to call the following phone number, then when prompted, enter the Meeting ID # and Passcode:

• Audio Phone #: 1-669-900-6833 (Not a Toll-Free #)

• Meeting ID #: 336 234 8073

• Passcode: 12345

To participate via Zoom, depending on the device, use the Zoom app or go to www.zoom.us and use the above Meeting ID# and Passcode. Note: If you do not get on the call, please try again or call the Rec Ctr 1 office and they will work to assist you. When you attend via Zoom, everyone will be placed on mute and you can raise your “computer hand” if you would like to speak. If you wish to submit comments to the Board of Directors, you can do so via email to: CDSBODMTGS@gmail.com

Casta del Sol HOA - Board of Directors -

President: Marci Smith marcitaylorsmith@gmail.com

Vice President: David Shostak davidrshostak@gmail.com

Treasurer: Karen Warren kwarrencds@gmail.com

Secretary: Linda Silverman dirsilverman71@yahoo.com

Directors: Lori Gilbertson lori9CDS@gmail.com Joe Hachadoorian joecdsbod@gmail.com Matt Loftus mloft107@gmail.com

For Courier staffing contact information, please see page 26

The Casta Courier is published monthly by the Casta del Sol Homeowners Association. The mailing address is 27651 Casta del Sol Drive, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92692. Deadline for submitting material for the next month appears at the bottom of this page.

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