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Have you checked out the HMOA website? HMOA.NET

Find out all there is to know about HMOA or better yet, come to a meeting.

Meeting schedule for 2026:

MARCH 21, 2026 AT 10:00 AM AT SPANISH RANCH II 121 RANCHERO WAY HAYWARD, CA. . Introductions of interested parties for HMOA President

MAY 16, 2026 AT 10:00 AM AT NEW ENGLAND VILLIAGE 940 NEW ENGLAND DR. HAYWARD, CA. . ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY PRESIDENT GUEST SPEAKER MICHAEL MORAN FROM EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT

SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 AT 10:00 AM AT EDEN GARDENS

1150 W. WINTON AVE. HAYWARD, CA

NOVEMBER 21, 2026 AT 10:00 AM AT GEORGIAN MANOR

1419 BUCKINGHAM WAY HAYWARD, CA.

Have any suggestions for speakers to have at any given meeting, go to HMOA.NET contact us page, send an email with your suggestion and any contact information you may have and HMOA will look into reaching out to schedule them into the meetings.

Not a member of HMOA, please see me Patricia La Rue. Send an email or leave a note at my home, and I’ll get you a slip. $5 per household per year.

I still see so many people cruise through or flat out run the stop signs

How to Honor a Stop Sign

1. Come to a full and complete stop—wheels completely still.

2. Look left. Look right. Then look left again to make sure all is clear before proceeding.

3. Look for pedestrians/bicyclists and wave them through until they are safely across the street before proceeding.

I really don’t mind people walking their dogs, as long as they pick up after them.

Poop has been found on my lawn!

Please be respectful before Management puts a stop to walking dogs in the park.

Eden Roc Residents:

From time to time there are emergency issues that cannot wait for regular business hours. The type of requests that are considered emergencies are utility failures. If you do not have gas, electric or water, in your home, please call the After-Hours Emergency Line at (401) 602-5094

If there is fire, flooding, or a life threatening situation, please call 911 immediately. Once you are safe, please call the After-Hours Emergency Line.

Text messages sent to the Emergency Line will not be replied to. During regular business hours and for issues that are non-life threatening, please call the Eden Roc office at (510) 372-0011 and press 2.

Please leave a message if there is no answer.

Please remember that complaints/concerns will only be taken under advisement when it is put in writing with your name, signature, and date. Please place it in the drop box or turn it into the office during normal business hours. If you have lost or misplaced your copy of the Rules & Regulations, they are available in the office.

Thank you,

Eden Roc Management

Community Manager: Mohammad Haider Kakar

edenroc@hometownamerica.net

Regional Manager

Sara Cunningham

scunningham@hometownamerica.net

Maintenance Technician: Juan Lobos

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm

Closed for lunch-Saturday and Sunday Closed

All Braun’s Towing: 510-606-3717

Joining GSMOL entitles you to these great benefits and more!

 You will receive a copy of The Californian, our quarterly publication that reports on and analyzes issues and news from around the State, and answers questions about laws that affect manufactured-home owners.

 GSMOL’s “E-Blast” email list, bringing you weekly Legislative bulletins and other up-to-the-minute news! Sign up by clicking the yellow button on the home page!

 Access to your GSMOL Regional Leaders, who can help you enjoy your rights and protections under the Law. See the map on the Contact Us page to find the leader nearest you.

 Access to Members Only areas of the website, where you will be given access to view resources that are only available to members and be provided a way to communicate with other members throughout the state.

PLEASE SELECT A MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE BELOW

If you are looking to setup a new membership please select one of the member options below. If you already have an account and want to renew please first LOGIN then go to to the “My GSMOL Account” link then click on “Subscriptions” then click on “Renew”.

Individual Membership

A single yearly membership for one individual. Member can vote, hold office and count as member for Chapter minimum.

$25 / Year

Join GSMOL Now!

Individual + 2nd Person in Household

One individual plus an additional person in the household. Two memberships for a little more than the price of one! Both members can vote, hold office and count as members for Chapter minimum.

Join GSMOL Now!

$35 / Year

Updated Website for Mobilehome Assistance Center is:

https://www.hcd.ca.gov/manufactured-and-mobilehomes/mobilehomeassistance-center

MRLPP (Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program)

Information for Mobilehome / Manufactured Homeowners in Mobilehome Parks

Annual $10 fee for mobilehome lots Have you been charged an additional $10 by park management?

This fee is designed to serve mobilehome/manufactured homeowners through the Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program. As of January 1, 2019, park management is required to pay $10 for each mobilehome lot within their park. Park management has the option to pass this fee along to you. In the event of certain types of disputes between mobilehome/manufactured homeowners in mobilehome parks and park management, the fee funds a program to help resolve certain disputes.

When can I submit a complaint for consideration?

Beginning July 1, 2020, any mobilehome/manufactured homeowner living in a mobilehome park under a rental agreement may submit a complaint for an alleged violation of the Mobilehome Residency Law.

Who can submit a complaint?

Must be a mobilehome / manufactured homeowner residing in a permitted mobilehome park.

What types of complaints can be submitted for consideration?

Complaints for issues within mobilehome parks related to Mobilehome Residency Law violations (California Civil Code). Common violations include illegal grounds for eviction, failure to provide proper notice of rent increases, or no written rental agreement between the park and mobilehome owner.

How do I submit my complaint?

Complaints must be submitted to HCD. HCD provides assistance to help resolve and coordinate resolution of the most severe alleged violations of the Mobilehome Residency Law. Visit the How to Submit a Complaint page for details on ways to submit your complaint to HCD.

Please note: HCD is prohibited from arbitrating, mediating, negotiating, or providing legal advice in connection with mobilehome park rent disputes, lease or rental agreements, or disputes arising from rental or lease agreements.

How long will the program last?

The Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program is a limited-term program beginning July 1, 2020, and ending January 1, 2024 (unless the program is extended by the California Legislature).

Have a Mobilehome Residency Law question?

Please visit Your Rights as Mobilehome Park Resident for more information.

For questions regarding the Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program, please refer to Information Bulletin 2018-03 (PDF) and Information Bulletin 2021-05 (PDF) or email: MRLComplaint@hcd.ca.gov.

I am still coming home to people walking and/or walking their dog in dark clothing!

Trust me, we cannot see you, or your dog, even with our headlights on.

This is what a driver sees.

This is what a driver should see!

I really really really need a volunteer to deliver the Rocket on Bourbon. Just 20 homes, once a month. I receive the Rockets and will deliver them to your home in a bag to be returned to me. Shoot me an email, leave a note in my mail box, or on the bookcase in my driveway (28287 Armour St) if interested in helping to keep your neighbors informed.

Pflusche61@sbcglobal.net

Why is “February” spelled with two ⟨r⟩’s?

Why is ―February‖ spelled with two ⟨r⟩’s even though most people only pronounce one of them?

Daniel W. Hieber, Ph.D.

01 Feb 2025

The word for February in Latin was Februarius, and at that point in time every letter was pronounced, including both ⟨r⟩’s. But by the time English borrowed the word from Old French in the late 1300s, it was pronounced Feverer or Feoveral. So even though that first /r/ was pronounced in Latin, it was gone by the time the word got to English. However, February is one of those words which underwent etymological respelling, where scholars during the Renaissance changed the spelling of the word to match its original Classical Latin or Greek spelling, even though the word was no longer pronounced that way. If you’ve been following the newsletter for a while, you might have read about another case of etymological respelling as well herb!

February Calendar

 February 2 is Groundhog Day the day we find out whether winter will last 6 more weeks or call it quits early. How did this quirky tradition get started? Find out the meaning of Groundhog Day

 February 8 is the Super Bowl in 2026. See some tasty Super Bowl recipes!

 February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. The 16th president of the United States was born in a one-room, 16x18-foot log cabin with a dirt floor.

 February 14 is always Valentine’s Day. Heads up, lovebirds! Today, the holiday is celebrated with love, flowers, and chocolate, but how did this holiday get its start? Learn all about Valentine’s Day.

 February 15 is Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday. How much do you know about this women’s rights leader?

 February 15 is also National Flag of Canada Day!

 February 16 brings Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday also known as Washington’s Birthday that is celebrated on the third Monday in February. (George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22!)

 February 17 is the Chinese Lunar New Year. Celebrated widely throughout East Asia, this holiday begins with the first new Moon after the Winter Solstice and is associated with the Chinese Zodiac.

 February 17 is also Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

 February 17 is Mardi Gras (aka ―Fat Tuesday‖ or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday.

 February 18 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.

Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," is a festive Carnival season culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent, with big celebrations in New Orleans featuring parades, costumes, music, and bead-throwing, rooted in ancient pagan festivals and Catholic tradition to indulge before fasting. The official colors are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power), representing themes of royalty and abundance, while key traditions include elaborate parades by Krewes like Zulu and Rex, masking, and feasting.

What It Is & When It Is

 Meaning: "Fat Tuesday," the final day to indulge in rich foods before the Lenten fast.

 Timing: Starts January 6 (Twelfth Night) and ends on Fat Tuesday, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday (February 17 in 2026).

Origins & Significance

 Religious: A pre-Lenten celebration for Christians to use up fats (meat, dairy) before the fasting period of Lent.

 Historical: Evolved from ancient pagan spring festivals (Saturnalia) and adopted by French Catholics in the Middle Ages.

 New Orleans: Celebrated since 1699, with the first parade in 1857, becoming a major cultural event.

Traditions & Symbols

 Krewes: Secret societies that host parades, like Rex and Zulu

 Beads: Thrown from floats, often in purple, green, and gold.

 Costumes & Masks: Essential for revelry and anonymity

 Food: King Cake is a staple, traditionally with a small plastic baby hidden inside.

Key Dates for 2026

 Season: January 6 – February 17, 2026.

 Fat Tuesday: February 17, 2026, with major parades like Zulu and Rex.

The Lunar New Year in 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Celebrated by millions around the world, this is a time for cultural traditions, family reunions, and hopes for good fortune in the coming year.

In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on February 17th, kicking off the 16-day Spring Festival.

As we leave behind the introspective and intuitive Year of the Snake, the Year of the Horse gallops in with vibrant and fiery energy, symbolizing adventure, vitality, and momentum.

Fun Facts

21 Things You Didn’t Know About Chinese New Year

By Fefe Ho

Last updated on Oct 3, 2025

Chinese New Year is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. It’s the most important holiday in China and to Chinese people all over. Here are 21 interesting facts that you probably didn’t know about Chinese New Year.

1. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival

In China, you’ll hear it being called chunjie (春节), or the Spring Festival. It’s still very wintry, but the holiday marks the end of the coldest days. People welcome spring and what it brings along: planting and harvests, new beginnings and fresh starts.

Lantern decorations with the words ―Spring Festival.‖

You can also call it the Lunar New Year, because countries such as North and South Korea and Vietnam celebrate it as well. And because the Spring Festival goes according to the lunar calendar. Which means . . .

2. There’s no set date for Chinese New Year

According to the Lunar calendar, the Spring Festival is on January 1st and lasts until the 15th (the full moon). Unlike western holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, when you try to calculate it with the solar (Gregorian) calendar, the date is all over the place. Chinese New Year ranges from January 21 to February 20. In 2026, it occurs on February 17th. For a full list of dates and events check out our Chinese New Year calendar Modern Chinese calendars use the Gregorian calendar but include lunar holidays. The lunar calendar is still really important in China, even though it has officially moved to the Gregorian calendar like the rest of the world. All traditional holidays and days such as the winter solstice are celebrated. Some people still calculate their birthdays and ages according to the lunar calendar too!

3. It is a day for praying to gods...

The Spring Festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray to gods for a good planting and harvest season. As an agrarian society, the harvest was everything. People also prayed to their ancestors as they were treated as gods (see Mulan for reference). The best foods are offered to the gods.

4. and fighting off monsters

But the myths are much more interesting. According to one legend, there was a monster named Nian (年). It would come about every New Year’s Eve. Most people would hide in their homes. But one boy was brave enough to fight him off using firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated their survival by setting off even more firecrackers. And that practice became a crucial part of the Spring Festival.

5. The most fireworks in the world are set off that night

As in the myth about Nian, firecrackers are supposed to scare off monsters and bad luck. So people stay up on Chinese New Year’s Eve and set off firecrackers at midnight. In the morning, firecrackers are used again to welcome the new year and good luck. Both firecrackers and fireworks sound throughout the night.

That same night, families also burn fake paper money and printed gold bars in honor of their deceased loved ones. Similar to the Korean Chuseok holiday or the Mexican Day of the Dead traditions, they believe the offerings will bring fortune and good luck to their ancestors in the afterlife.

6. (but sometimes it’s illegal)

Due to safety reasons and concerns over air pollution, many Chinese cities have banned fireworks. More than 500 cities have restrictions too.

But many people don’t care about the legality and do it anyway. Beijing banned fireworks for 13 years. The ban was lifted in 2006 because of the angry public. If you’re in China during this time, you’ll probably be able to hear and see the explosions for at least three nights (and it can go on for weeks).

7. It is the longest Chinese holiday

The Spring Festival is technically 15 days. But celebrations start on New Year’s Eve (making it 16 days). You can also say that the holiday season starts in (lunar) December with the Laba Festival (腊八节 / là bā jié). That’s around 40 days of celebrations! During the holiday, Chinese people spend twice as much on shopping and eating out than Americans spend on Thanksgiving Traditionally, you have to spend time with your family and can only go out after the fifth day. It’s a national holiday. The majority of stores are closed too. The month before the holiday begins, people will buy “nian huo” (年货), or New Year’s products. The Chinese stock up on cooking supplies, snacks, gifts, new clothes and more.

8. The Spring Festival causes the largest human migration in the world

The most important part of Chinese New Year is the family reunion. Everyone should come back home for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

But in modern China, most elderly parents live in rural villages while their children work in the cities. The migration back home and to go on vacation during this time is called “chunyun” (春运), or Spring Migration.

Even on normal days, subways to work are jammed pack with people just barely squishing past the door. You can imagine the intensity of the chunyun. Plus, the earliest you can buy train tickets is 60 days before. It leads to a mad rush of actual fighting for tickets. In 2015, statistics showed around 1,000 ticket sales every second.

9. Singles hire fake boyfriends/girlfriends to take home

You know those nosy relatives during Thanksgiving? It’s even worse in China. Especially since having children and passing down the family name is one of the most important parts of Chinese culture. Some desperate singles resort to hiring a fake boyfriend or girlfriend to take home. Those who can’t (or don’t want to) go home can rent themselves out. For some of the other nosy relative questions though, such as your salary, career or when you want to have kids, you can hire answers for.

10. No showering, sweeping or throwing out garbage allowed!

Showering isn’t allowed on New Year’s Day. Sweeping and throwing out garbage isn’t allowed before the fifth. This is to make sure you don’t wash away the good luck! Most hair salons are closed during the entirety of Chinese New Year because hair cutting is taboo

What else is taboo during Chinese New Year?

 Hair cutting (before February 2)

 Using scissors, knives and other sharp things

 Arguing, swearing

 Saying unlucky words (such as “death” and “sickness”)

 Breaking things

11. Children receive lucky money in red envelopes

In other cultures, children receive gifts for holidays. Gifts are also exchanged during the Spring Festival. But Chinese children receive something else too red envelopes Red pockets (or red envelopes) are filled with money and given to children during the New Year.

Also called red packets or pockets, these envelopes include money. This money is supposed to help transfer fortune from the elders to the kids. They can also be given between bosses and employees, co-workers and friends. With the development of technology, digital red pockets are the trend now. People like to send one into group chats and watch the others fight for the money. This is called “qiang hongbao” (抢红包), or literally “snatching red pockets.”

12. You eat dumplings for every meal, every day

Well, technically you’re supposed to. But not many people do that anymore because you can have too much of even the most delicious foods. So most people will eat dumplings during the New Year's Eve dinner. Others will eat them for the first breakfast. Dumplings with Chinese New Year decorations. Contrary to popular belief though, dumplings aren’t popular everywhere in China. It’s more of a northern thing. In the South, people would rather eat spring rolls (egg rolls) and balls of glutinous rice in soup called “tangyuan” (汤圆).

13. Chinese New Year desserts have special meanings

A lot of cultures have symbolic foods, such as the Yule Log cake. But so many Chinese New Year desserts have special meanings behind them. And it’s mostly puns in the name. Make sure you get your fill of meaningful desserts!

Take the tangyuan for example. It literally means “soup balls.” But it sounds like “tuanyuan” (团圆), which means reunion. So it’s no surprise it’s a popular dessert during Chinese New Year.

Nian gao (年糕) is a type of rice cake. It symbolizes success each and every year. Fa gao (发糕) is a the hybrid of sponge cakes and muffins. People dye it with festive colors. The “fa” is the same as in “fa cai” (发财), which means “to get rich.” And everyone wants that!

Isn’t it nice to have a better reason to get seconds?

14.

There’s

wine specifically for the Spring Festival

Chinese people love drinking. There’s a saying that there’s no manners and/or etiquette without wine. This means that you need to have wine for every ceremony, festival or important dinner.

There’s wine for engagement dinners, weddings, birthdays and of course the Spring Festival. With such a rich wine culture, it’s no surprise that there are a bunch of drinking games you play.

However, it’s not all fun and games.

When you’re eating with someone older than you, as is the case with New Year’s dinners, you need to follow strict toasting etiquette rules. These rules include the order of toasts, seating, how you hold the wine glass, etc. etc. To learn more, read our post on Chinese New Year drinks and etiquette.

15. The Chinese decorate everything red for Chinese New Year

Every family will deck their homes in this color. Do you remember the story about Nian?

Firecrackers aren’t the only thing that scared the monster away. Red is also an invaluable weapon and used in nearly all Chinese New Year decorations. Red is China’s favorite color and it’s pretty obvious during Chinese New Year.

The Chinese will hang up red lanterns and strings of (real or fake) chili peppers, paste red paper onto doors and windows and more!

New clothes are also believed to bring good luck and start over fresh. People will add new red clothing to their Spring Festival wardrobe too.

16. Every year has a zodiac animal

Western horoscopes include 12 zodiacs, one for each month. There are 12 Chinese zodiacs as well, but the animal is for the entire year.

The 12 Chinese zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig

2026 is the Year of the Horse. Some of the animals (such as Rat, Snake, Dog and Pig) aren’t normally well-liked in Chinese culture. But as a zodiac, their positive traits are bestowed on people born that year.

The zodiacs play a much bigger role in Chinese culture than in western cultures. Your animal can decide your career, health and relationship success. Make sure you find out what zodiac animal you are!

17. Your zodiac year is bad luck

Your benming year (本命年 / běn mìng nián) is the year of your zodiac animal. And of the 12 year cycle it is the unluckiest for you.

There are multiple explanations for this. The Chinese believe that children can easily be taken by demons and your benming year is your rebirth year. Some people also wear protective charms made of red string and/or jade, red belts, red shoe inserts and much more

During this year, your weapon of defense is the color red. Just as you can decorate your home in red for protection and fortune, you can also wear red clothing. Many people will wear red underwear every day of the year. Others add on red shirts, pants, jewelry, insoles and more!

18. You grow one year older on the Spring Festival

In China, you have a “real” age (实岁 / shí suì) and a “fake” nominal age (虚岁 / xū suì).

The real age is the one we all know about. You grow one year older on your birthday. Your nominal age, though, increases with the Spring Festival. This nominal age was the age most people went with until recent times. But it’s still common nowadays or used interchangeably with the real age. If you’re particular about it, make sure you ask!

19. The New Year greeting in Chinese is “xin nian kuai le”

The phrase literally means “Happy New Year.” But in Hong Kong and other Cantonesespeaking regions, it’s more common to say “gong hei fat choy.” In Mandarin Chinese, it’s “gong xi fa cai” (恭喜发财). It means “congratulations on the fortune.”

Calligraphy with New Year blessings

If you check out other greetings or blessings, you’ll see that most are about:

 Plentiful harvests

 Wealth and fortune

 Health and longevity

 Having children and large families

Food, money and health are things that everyone wants. Passing down the family name is of utmost importance. That’s one of the reasons why China has such a large population.

20. Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival

The first full moon of the lunar year is the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节 / yuán xiāo jié) or Lantern Festival (灯节 / dēng jié). Though family is still important, it’s a night of partying and freedom.

Lanterns come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

In ancient times, girls weren’t allowed to venture outside by themselves. But on this night, they were able to walk around, moon-gaze and look at the beautiful lanterns. Because of this, it’s also known as Valentine’s Day in China.

21. Chinese New Year is celebrated all around the world

One out of every five people in the world is Chinese. But that statistic doesn’t include the millions of overseas Chinese people and people of Chinese descent. Spring Festival celebrations in London, UK

London, England; San Francisco, USA; Sydney, Australia all claim to have the biggest Spring Festival celebrations outside of Asia. We can’t say if that’s true or not. But if you have a Chinatown nearby, you can definitely get a feel of what the celebrations are like. Make sure you go check out the parades, lion dances, lantern statues, fireworks and amazing food!