Pueblo
MAY 2025
THE SERENAN
Sponsored By Pueblo Serena Homeowners Alliance
Editor/Admin: Lin Marie deVincent lmdevincent@comcast.net
Calendar/Birthdays: Cynthia Boyer – byerbird@sonic.net
PUEBLO SERENA HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025
Board Chair (open) :............................................................................
Treasurer: John Kyle...................................................................................................415-341-2463
Secretary: Robert Bruce …………………………………………………………….650-678-4122
Director-at-Large: Donna Tranchina.......................................................................... 707-938-7674
Designated Tenant Representative (DTR): John Kyle 415-341-2463
GSMOL Super Chapter President: Ann Colichidas 415-902-7690
GSMOL V.P. Membership: Carol Werner 707-935-1235
PS & HOA Email Communications: Hugh McBride 707-934-0860
Social Activities Coordinator: Linda Bruce 650-678-4121
Emergency Response Coordinator: Mike Colhouer 707-227-0848 Sandi Bird
Homeowners Phone List: 415-450-1755
Cul-de-Sac Coordinator: Linda Bruce #112 Merida 650-678-4121
CHICO
HACIENDA
ACAPULCO
MAZATLAN
CUERNAVACA
GUADALAJARA
GUADALAJARA
MAYAN
MAYAN
GUAYMAS
LA PAZ
HERMOSILLO
MERIDA
PEPITO
CUL-de-SAC CAPTAINS
Ramsey Sullivan #6 707-732-0624
Ted Sexauer #12
Cynthia Boyer #28
707-337-4518
707-495-6639
Monica Wohlferd #35 707-939-3683
Cathy Flight #43 415-531-5489
Terry Swartt #59 707-225-6864
Keval Nguyen #58 415-203-3323
Kathy Jewell #126 707-225-4804
Barbara Rose #123 707-592-8892
Sandy Colhouer #75
707-318-3480
Barbara Crow #94 415-308-6204
Carmen Naimish #99 805-745-1520
Diane Lumiere #113 916-761-3234
Donna Tranchina #117
707-938-7674
6:30pm “SHINE” See p 4
9:40am
Lin Marie’s Radio ShowValley Poet on the Beat ksvy.org see p12
Feliz Cinco See p 7 Movie Night
Happy Mothers’ Day Pancakes 9:30am
Monday May 26th is Memorial Day
ChantContemplateChat 1- 2pm Library See p 7
Recycling on West MacArthur
Qigong 9:30-10:30
Qigong 9:30 to 10:30
Creativity 204 10:45-12:15 Luci Ungar
9:40am
Lin Marie’s Radio ShowValley Poet on the Beat ksvy.org see p12
9:40am
Lin Marie’s Radio ShowValley Poet on the Beat ksvy.org see p12
Pancakes 9:30am ChantContemplateChat 1- 2pm Library See p 7
Pancakes 9:30am
ChantContemplateChat 1- 2pm Library See p 7
Recycling on West MacArthur
Swap Meet - Set up 9am. Start 10 End 3:30
Qigong 9:30-10:30
Qigong 9:30 to 10:30
Creativity 204 10:45-12:15 Luci Ungar
9:40am
Lin Marie’s Radio ShowValley Poet on the Beat ksvy.org see p12 TGIF 5pm Bocce @ 2pm GSMOL Zoom Meeting 11 to 1pm & live In Petaluma
9:40am
Lin Marie’s Radio ShowValley Poet on the Beat ksvy.org see p12 TGIF 5pm Bocce @ 2pm
Rachel Carson from Silent Spring
From Superage.com submitted by Laurelyn Borst
Freedom, and Spiritual Freedom
Barely out of high school in 1975, my life took a sharp turn. I came home one day. My father told me that my mother and siblings have managed to escape and flee the country. A month later my father was summoned to attend some “re-education” camps.
To survive, I moved from Saigon, the capital of Vietnam in those days, to Kontum, a small town in the highlands of Central Vietnam. Music and books from the previous era were considered “decadent.” The change from the Republic of Vietnam to the Communist Party was like a spiraling staircase descending into bondage. Freedom is like a diminishing light as one descends into darkness. Soon, one cannot travel without permits, even from town to town, city to city. Now and then you would be called to do community services. Sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months at some remote area to dig canals, clear forest, etc.
At the deepest point of despair, life was no longer livable, and I decided to flee. Armed with false papers, I took a bus back to Saigon, living in hiding for months before I made it onto a small boat and left the shores of Vietnam. ID checkpoints are common these days. Soldiers could appear anywhere in the streets. One time I was riding a bicycle on the street passing by a line of soldiers. One of them looked at me and started lifting his whistle to his mouth. For some reason he did not blow his whistle. If I had been stopped, I would have been caught. In hindsight, I knew I had divine protection which kept me safe throughout my journey.
Fast forward from boat, to pirates, to deserted island, to being rescued, to refugee camps in Thailand, to a year later I settled to a new life in Philadelphia. I was a new student of Eckankar at this point. With continuing practice of chanting the word HU. My dreams became more vivid and interesting at times. One time I found myself back in Kontum, talking to my martial arts teacher. I was living with him in Kontum at the time. He said: “So you made it out and found your freedom.” I replied: “Yes, but I found more: Spiritual freedom is the next goal.” At that point, soldiers appeared and started checking for ID papers. I vanished from the scene and disappeared into thin air. For me, that is an example of spiritual freedom. To be able to travel in Soul consciousness and not limited to the physical body. So what is Spiritual Freedom? What does that mean to you? One way to find out is to chant the word “HU”, an ancient sacred name for the Creator. Perhaps in time you will realize that Soul is immortal, and Soul is free.
Join me for CCC sessions (Chanting-Contemplating-Chatting) Every Monday from 1 PM to 2 PM at the P.S. Clubhouse Keval Nguyen (415) 203-3323
Submitted by Cynthia Boyer
2025 GSMOL Priority Bills - CA
AB 925 (Addis) – Emergency Preparedness – GSMOL Supports
Overview: Enhances emergency preparedness for mobilehome parks in California.
Key Provisions:
- From Jan 1, 2027, requires parks with 50+ units to have someone with emergency plan knowledge and access to utilities and exits.
- Mandates emergency preparedness plans approved by the Standardized Emergency Management System Advisory Board.
- Ties operating permit issuance or renewal to emergency plan compliance.
- Raises inspection fee from $4 to $10 per lot until January 1, 2030.
Impact: Improves safety and readiness, though increased fees may burden some park owners or residents.
AB 635– Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program – GSMOL Supports
Overview: Targets enforcement of egregious Mobilehome Residency Law violations by involving the Attorney General. AB 635 Sponsors (Ahrens, Umberg, Krell)
Key Provisions:
- Allows up to 25 serious MRL violation cases per year to be referred to the Attorney General.
- Authorizes legal action including arbitration, mediation, or litigation.
- Permits program funds to support the Attorney General’s enforcement efforts.
Impact: Strengthens legal recourse and accountability for serious violations affecting mobilehome residents.
AB 456 (Connolly) – Mobilehome Home Sales – GSMOL Supports
Overview: Protects homeowners from unfair interference during the sale of their mobilehomes. Key Provisions:
- Prohibits management from requiring interior repairs or inspections for home sales.
- Requires repair summaries to be provided within 15 days or rights to request are waived.
- Automatically approves sales if no response is received within 15 days.
Impact: Simplifies and safeguards the home-selling process for residents.
AB 806 (Connolly) – Cooling Devices and Cooling Centers – GSMOL Supports Overview: Improves resident health and safety by addressing extreme heat conditions.
Key Provisions:
- Allows installation of cooling devices in all mobilehomes.
- Requires mobilehome parks to provide access to cooling centers.
Impact: Supports safe living environments during heat waves, especially for vulnerable populations.
AB 813 (Solache) – Mobilehome parks: termination of tenancy – GSMOL OPPOSES!! Overview: Liberalizes causes for termination of tenancies.
Key Provisions:
- Adds substantial annoyance to park staff, or park employees as a cause for termination
Impact: Open process to abuse as a retaliation tactic by park management
Submitted by Ann Colichidas
Submitted by Ann Colichidas
Hi Neighbors!
You know me as the Editor of the Serenan Magazine but I also have a weekly poetry segment on our local independent community radio station,KSVY.
My 15 minute segment is called The Valley Poet on the Beat. I read all kinds of poems, talk about literary events, & share resources for poets & writers. Please tune in on your computer at ksvy.org, or on your radio at 91.3fm, every Thursday Morning at 9:42ish. I follow the recording of our sponsors, so keep listening until I go live.
Thanks for tuning in!
LMdV akaLinMarie deVincent
Poetic License
Vintage House Delivers program is here to help you by connecting your shopping list, or prescription pick up, to a volunteer shopper. Click on the delivery request button below, or give us a call, 707.996.0311.
Need a Ride?
If you are 60+ and no longer drive, myRide can provide no-cost transportation throughout Sonoma Valley. Whether you need to go grocery shopping, meet a friend for lunch, get a haircut, or attend a class at Vintage House, our vetted myRide drivers are there to help.
https://vintagehouse.org/
Need help with your laptop, cell phone, or tablet? Want to learn how to send and receive emails or use the internet? Schedule a free, 1-hour, one-on-one appointment with the Vintage House TECHsquad. Member perk.
DANCING WITH DRAGONS
Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: we must fight (our fears) in order to conquer it. – Alexander Dumas
Aging is a perilous adventure with few knights in shining armour to accompany us on our journey. Along the path we encounter many dragons: loss of youthful energy and appearance that chips away at our self-esteem, unexpected health crises that diminish our strength and independence; deaths that rob us of valued relationships as well as reminding us of our own death; worries about world problems and their impact on our children and grandchildren; financial challenges that diminish our pride in self-sufficiency; and shrinking senses of hearing, vision, taste, and smell that isolate us from each other and our surroundings.
Our memories too, are haunted by the dragons of our past: the regrets of decisions made and actions taken or not taken; the hurts given and received, relationships left incomplete with words unsaid and emotions not expressed.
Dragons are difficult to avoid. They often surprise us at unexpected times and places. Dragons are also tough creatures and not easily slain. The secret is learning to dance with them, but dancing with dragons is a delicate art. If they are allowed to overpower us, we can isolate ourselves and become depressed. We may self-medicate with alcohol or prescription pain medications. We may become angry and bitter and alienate existing and potential friends. Self-destructive behaviors can be subtle, like exacerbating our health challenges by not taking good care of ourselves and then feeling victimized by them.
Dragons are emotions and the more we try to ignore our dragons, the more powerful they become. To learn to dance with your dragons, the secret is to befriend them like the young boy did with Puff, the Magic Dragon in the popular folk song. After all, they have probably been there all along; it is just that we have been too busy to notice them. Now that our lives have quieted down, up they pop like Halloween goblins! We must fight our temptation to run away from them.
While the dragon-slaying knights of fairy tales may not be an option, there is lots of support in learning how to dance with our dragons, if we are willing to accept it, both informal and professional. Aging is a collective experience. Sharing our challenges and concerns with others gives us courage and strength. We can learn to live with our dragons if we don’t try to do it all by ourselves.
Gary Hermes is a resident of Sonoma Oaks. This is one of a series of his “thoughts” on the challenges and opportunities of aging as he shares his elder journey. He would love to hear your reflections as well. You can reach him at (707) 227-6935 or via e-mail at GaryDHermes@comcast.net
These are foxtails. Please remove by the roots.
From: Pueblo Serena <Pueblo@hcamgmt.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Foxtail Removal
There is a lot of foxtail in Pueblo Serena. This can be very dangerous for dogs. If you have foxtail in your yard, please try to remove it by the roots. Thanks for your help with this.
Respectfully,
Robin McCormick & Bill Nichols Community Managers
Pueblo Serena MHC 951 5th Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476
Tel: 707.996.9384 l Email: Pueblo@hcamgmt.com "Better Communities for better living."
Happy dogs w/ their dad David Whyte
The Making of Limoncello! At
Ann Hollister’s Home
“Limoncello is traditionally served chilled as an afterdinner digestivo. Limoncello is the traditional Italian lemon-flavored liqueur made using lemon zest. You can sometimes get homemade Limoncello in Italian restaurants and some liquor stores will carry one or two commercially bottled imports, I have found most of what you find in the stores to be expensive and not that good. Nothing compares to homemade. ” AH
Tony, Janice, Ann & Mary
Peel peel peel!
Then and Now, Or, the Saga of Limoncello, Or, if given lemons, Make Limoncello
by Ann Hollister
Then
A long time ago
Southern California springtime sweet citrus blossoms filled my whole world acres of groves the smell everywhere
Hot summer afternoons
Smith’s orange juice stand down the road my cousins and I lusting after the farmer’s son Just at dusk climbing the fence into the Orange Show Why? With tickets in our pockets, why?
Family fall trips driving to Oregon on Highway 99 orange juice stand stops to soothe four restless children all you can drink, 25c
Winter mornings bundled up high schoolers in icy cold classrooms late arriving boys’ eyes peering from blackened faces from working the smudge pots
Now
Winter, Northern California clouds of cloth and stars of Christmas lights protect the fruit from fingers of frost no smudge pot would be permitted in the trailer park
Harvest the bright yellow fruit peel delicately, most delicately into the gallon jugs with care, add liquid, with care gently stir, very gently
Springtime walking from my car to house the familiar sweet scent stops me I stand minutes
smelling, touching, listening, thanking each bee buzzing the lemon blossoms
Summer jazz instead of carnival rides grandchildren find hidden ripe lemons fresh lemonade
25c a glass times have changed
Fall
Resting in the dark closet since early spring the last stirring of the brew in gallon jugs the just right snap of the lemon peels time for bottling the precious liquid for friends to sip and share Limoncello
Mary & the soon-to-be Limoncello! Photo by Mic
Future Limoncello - Photos & Story by Lin Marie
Diane Lumiere has been painting California landscapes for over 30 years, specializing in the local meadows and woodlands of Central and Northern California. She is a member of the Arts Guild of Sonoma, majored in Fine Art at UCSB and just loves to paint! She recently retired from her 35 year career in commissioned art and design and can be reached at dianelumiere1@gmail.com
Winter Green
Pueblo Serena Artist of the Month Diane Lumiere
Thank you to our Serenan delivery guys, Jim & Kent. We appreciate you
Send your Word Doc submissions to Editor/Admin Lin Marie deVincent lmdevincent@comcast.net Send Calendar Items & Birthdays: Cynthia Boyer – byerbird@sonic.net DEADLINE: NOON ON THE 7th EVERY MONTH
Please write - SERENAN SUBMISSION in the “Subject” section of your email
Art by Tamara Adams
Puzzles and Word Games you can
Kitchen Gadgets
AIR FRYER
BLENDER
CAN OPENER
COFFEE MAKER
CUTTING BOARD
EGG COOKER
GRIDDLE
HAND MIXER
INSTANT POT
JUICER
KETTLE
MICROWAVE NINJA
PASTA MAKER
POPCORN MAKER
RICE COOKER
SCALE
SCISSORS
SLOW COOKER
TOASTER
Across
1.Not an orig.
Flying Helicopter Bug
4.Like some renewable energy
9.WWW address
10.Livid
11.Turkish title
12.Mutton or lamb leg
13.Lowers oneself
15.Northeasternmost st.
16.Drivel
18.Radio mode
20. Flowering plant with healing properties
23.Cousin of a raccoon
25.In support of
26.Moth-___
27.Freddy Krueger’s street
28.Cubic meter
29.Beam Down 1.Couple
2.Exhort
3.Kilt pattern
4.Italian unmarried woman
5.Prayer
6.Hang back
7.Proton’s place
8.Neural network
14.Kitchen gadget
17.Inmate who’s never getting out
18.Air force heroes
19.Castle defense
21.RC, e.g.
22.___ brat
24.Lunched
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
April Wordoku
How to solve wordoku puzzles
You only need logic and patience to solve a wordoku. Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one letter from the word JUDGMENT. Similarly, each letter can only appear once in a column or row in
the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is medium.
TRIVIA TEASER
Only 17
1.Which special space appears exactly 17 times on a Scrabble board? a-Double letter score, b-Double word score, cTriple letter score, d-Triple word score.
2.Which family lived at 17 Cherry Tree Lane in Mary Poppins? a-Banks, b-Mitchell, c-Lancaster, d-Shaw.
3.Which pitcher struck out 17 Detroit Tigers in game one of the 1968 World Series? a-Sandy Koufax, b-Bob Gibson, c-Jerry Koosman, d-Jim Palmer.
4.In which year did 17-year-old Boris Becker become the youngest-ever men's Grand Slam singles winner at Wimbledon? a-1985, b-1989, c-1991, d-1994.
5.Eliza McCardle was only 17 years old when she married which future U.S. President? a-Grover Cleveland, b-Andrew Johnson, c-Herbert Hoover, d-Andrew Jackson.
6.Which group scored a pop hit in 1983 with (She's) Sexy + 17? a-Culture Club, b-Adam and the Ants, c-Georgia Satellites, d-Stray Cats.
7.A photo on the cover of Seventeen magazine is one of the prizes on which reality TV series? a-America's Next Top Model, b-Hell's Kitchen, c-Project Runway, d-Shear Genius.
8.Colonel Aureliano Buendia was the father of 17 sons, all named Aureliano, with 17 different women in which novel? a-Mona Lisa Smile, b-One Hundred Years of Solitude, c-Dirt Music, d-The Satanic Verses.
9.Which of the actors in the movie Stalag 17 served as the narrator of the events in the film? a-Gil Stratton, bWilliam Holden, c-Don Taylor, d-Harvey Lembeck.
10.Which female singer-songwriter had hits with "Society's Child" and "At Seventeen"? a-Kate Bush, b-Janis Ian, c-Suzanne Vega, d- Michelle Shocked.
QUOTES
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.
Theodore M. Hesburgh
Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions.
Albert Einstein
Learning is about more than acquiring new knowledge. It is also crucial to unlearn old knowledge that has outlived its relevance. Forgetting can be as important as learning.
Gary Ryan Blair
Progress involves taking risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first.
Frederick Wilcox
The more you seek security, the less of it you will have and the more you pursue opportunity, the more security you will achieve.
Brian Tracy
It is difficult to know what counts in the world. Most of us count credits, honors, dollars. But at the bulging center of mid-life, I am beginning to see that the things that really matter take place not in the boardrooms, but in the kitchens of the world.
Allen Sledge
A great attitude does more than turn on the lights in our worlds. It seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change.
Earl Nightingale
More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them.
Harold J. Smith
When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out.
David L. Weatherford
Answers to 'Only 17'
1-b,Double word score
2-a, Banks
3-b, Bob Gibson
4-a, 1985
5-b, Andrew Johnson
The Lighter Side
Inner Strength
•
• If you are always cheerful,
If you wake up without caffeine,
6-d, Stray Cats
7-a, "America's Next Top Model"
8-b, "One Hundred Years of Solitude"
9-a, Gil Stratton
10-b, Janis Ian
•
• boring people with your troubles,
If you can resist complaining and
• ones don't have time for you,
If you understand when your loved
• without resentment,
If you can take criticism and blame
• friend better than a poor friend,
If you can resist treating a rich
• medical help,
If you can conquer tension without
• pill,
If you can go to sleep without a
Then you are the family dog.
Communication Problem
A farmer went to the attorney's office and said he wanted to get a divorce. The attorney asked if he had any grounds.
"Yeah, I got about 240 acres," the farmer said. The attorney replied, "But, I mean do you have a case?"
"No, I have a John Deere."
"Well, do you have a grudge?"
The farmer said, "Yea, I got a grudge. That's where I park my John Deere."
"No, I mean do you have a suit?"
"Yes, sir, I got a suit. I wear it to church on Sundays."
Next, the exasperated lawyer asked, "Well, sir, does your wife beat you up or anything?"
"No, we both get up about 4:30."
The attorney finally asked, "OK, so why do you want a divorce?"
"Well," said the farmer, "I can't have a meaningful conversation with her!"
Anna Harris & Berni Baxter
Serving Sonoma County since 2001
Specializing in Manufactured/Mobile Homes in 55+ and Family Parks
Thinking About Selling…Call Today!
Estate Disposition Specialists
Free Home Evaluation = Proven marketing plan
Access to our Preferred Vendor List
Contractor and Inspector Recommendations
Searching for a New Home…Call Today!
Real time MLS emails notify you as soon as properties come on-line Lender recommendations that specialize in mobile/manufactured homes
Award Winning Agents with over 1000 Units Listed / Sold Put our 36+ Years of Experience to Work for You!
Anna Harris, Realtor®
BRE License #02039513 707-321- 9021
BaxterHarrisRE @gmail.com
Berni Baxter, Realtor®
BRE License #01353119 707-695- 8121
BaxterHarrisRE@gmail.com
