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posted 2 April 2015
 The photos in this article might look like a fishing trip. But for longtime resident Michael Mengel it is really part of his job for the Orange County Sanitation District. Michael's history at Harbour Vista includes serving on the HOA Board as Board President from 1994-1997 and again from 2006-2011.
On the Board
A couple of years after Michael moved into his condo in 1992 he volunteered to serve on the HOA Board. His first position was Board Secretary. He tells that when he was first on the Board the HOA Reserve Account was at an all-time low of $14,000. The HOA could only meet its monthly expenses and only fund emergencies and safety issues. He was a member of the HOA Board when major balcony repairs and painting of the exterior of the buildings took place from 1998-2000. When he served as HOA President the Board replaced all the wooden bridges in the complex, re-routed half the building's plumbing pipes on the bottom floor units to prevent furture slab leaks and removed several over grown trees in the complex.
Approachable
Residents who knew him during his tenure express he was always approachable. Michael is proud of the Boards he served on. He commented they used "common sense" to solve HOA problems instead of creating personal issues or being aloof to the membership.
On the Water
 Michael, with his degree in Oceanography is on a boat during daylight hours offshore of Huntington  Beach 3 to 15 days a month investigating water pollution and water quality. His job is to investigate the effects of water quality on marine plants, fish and mammals. The Water District closes the beaches if the water quality is unsafe. Michael's busiest time on the water is between January-February and July- August. His group investigates ocean water quality from Seal Beach down to Laguna Beach and goes out as far as 7 miles off shore. His group also extracts mud to investigate microscopic organisms. Michael is very proud of his organization stating his agency has set standards which are used all over the nation for off shore water quality.
Large Movie Collection
Michael confesses he has a movie collection of over 1500 movies. He is also an avid reader and has a very large collection of books.■
You can read other "Focus on Your Neighbors" in Harbour Vista News Archive at this Link. |
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posted 1 Ocotber 2014
 Long time Harbour Vista resident Jim Gregg draws cartoons of many types. His political cartoons have appeared in the local paper The Register and in many Washington D.C. journals and publications. This is not his only vocation; he also creates small sculptures that he makes into small magnets and pins. Universal Studios has used  some of his art work and molds for some of their movie memorabilia. Jim is the owner of a small business that sells cleaning supplies to restaurants. He has owned his condo in Harbour Vista since 1987.
Praised for His Cartoons
When Jim left the Navy after serving in  combat on the USS New Jersey (1968-69) off the coast of North Viet Nam he decided to take classes in business. For fun he also took a class in cartooning. Not only was his teacher impressed with his skills a guest speaker from Warner Brothers Animation studio singled his drawings out as the best example of what they wanted in an animator. A week later a representative from Disney Animation visited the school an offered him a job. At the time Jim wanted his feet planted more solidly on the ground and he turned down the job offer to pursue a business career. He often wonders how his life would have been if he had taken that job. He is happy with his life as it is and with his family.
Brushes to His Own Company
After serving in the Navy Jim worked for a company that sold commercial cleaning brushes to restaurants. In 1982 he started his own company selling commercial cleaning products to restaurants. His business continues to this day on a smaller scale due to a heart attack and stroke he suffered in 2004.
 InventorPolitical Cartoon
Jim draws political cartoons that are neutral and don't support any political party. Most of his cartoons take issue with the lack of support of US Patent laws by Congress. He is involved with a group that thinks the government is not doing enough to protect small business patent rights. Published in DC Journals and distributed to members of Congress his political cartoons show the hypocrisy where large special interests overshadow the rights of small business owners.
Rides a Recumbent Bike
For exercise he rides an uncommon three wheel bike. A recumbent bike places the rider in a reclining position. Jim can ride his bike up to 20 miles per hour. You may have seen him riding around the neighborhood.
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Editor Note: Interested in Jim's cartoons, sculpture or inventions. Contact the newsletter and we will put you in touch with him. |
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posted 7 July 2014
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The Good Neighbor
Brenda Richardson is a long time resident of Harbour Vista since 1989. She is well known by many residents as the "Good Neighbor". H er philosophy is that she treats people the same way she wants to be treated.
Comes to Their Aid
Many residents will tell you stories where Brenda had come to their aid. A typical example, a single resident was going through chemo therapy and could not get around easily. Brenda made sure that this person always had bottled water when frequently unscheduled emergency water shutoffs occurred. For plumbing leak emergencies, Brenda was the person to call to turn off the water-even at night.
In Case of Emergency
Because Brenda is retired and is home most weekdays, several residents have relied on her to open their condo for deliveries or to provide access for a repairman. Many residents provide her a set of keys to their condo and their phone numbers for emergencies. If you want to know a good painter or maintenance man, Brenda maintains a recommendation list.
Asked to Continue
Brenda's husband Bruce was the official HOA resident handyman until his untimely death in 2008. The HOA asked Brenda to continue some of his work. Authorized by the HOA, she met with vendors, maintained supplies, cleaned both pool areas, opened gates, replaced light fixtures and reported problems. Brenda was the person to obtain an extra gate or pool key, and programed resident access gate codes. Our previous property managers depended on her to watch the property and verify that repairs were completed.
A New Board
When a new Board was elected in 2012, they decided they no longer wanted Brenda to continue her services. Many homeowners were unhappy about this decision. Some residents organized a "Thank You" party for her to show their appreciation and recognize her dedication to the Harbour Vista community.
Welcomes New Residents
Brenda still continues to meet and welcome new  residents to Harbour Vista and is happy to answer questions about the community. She still watches the property and many residents still depend on her as their "Good Neighbor". Her personal value is that she wakes up every morning to see if she can help someone,.
In Memorial
At the south side Grunion building facing Green, is plaque and a crape myrtle tree honoring Brenda's late husband Bruce Richardson who passed away from cancer. When people ask her about the tree, she says "Bruce's Tree is getting stronger every day."■
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posted 30 April 2014
Likes the Neighborhood
Marilyn Breeze started  playing piano when she was seven. Her professional career began at 14. At 25 she was entertaining the troops in Vietnam were her husband was also working. This is only the beginning of her professional careen spaning many decades. She has been an accompanist for the great Violinist Jasha Heifetz.
Very Busy
Marilyn’s senior years are busier than ever. As a professional pianist, Marilyn plays every Sunday at both Saint Bonaventure Catholic Church and the Grace Lutheran Church. She is the resident accompanist for local community theatres such as Rose Center along with most the High Schools in Huntington Beach. She works with local vocal artists to develop their performances.
Perfect Place
As a long time resident of over 20 years, Marilyn states that “Harbour Vista is a perfect place for me to live.” I like the way neighbors help one another. The landscaping is beautiful. Ten years ago her husband (now deceased) was on the Landscape Committee. She is really proud of the community and it’s wonderful location.
 For Fun
If you want to hear her play, there is a YouTube Video posted at this link . Marilyn has also recorded several CD’s in a variety of music genres which can be obtained by contacting Harbour Vista News.■
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posted 11 November 2013
A Dream Come True
We have a really nice story for all to read. Connie is a new owner of a unit on Grunion in Harbour Vista. To live here was a lifelong dream of hers. In 1995 she lived in a studio apartment in the apartment complex across Heil from Harbour Vista. When she walked down Green Lane she would always pass the complex and think “what beautiful buildings, landscaping, streams and pools”. Not to mention the ducks and other birds she saw. It was always a treat to walk by Harbour Vista. She often thought what it would be like to live there. Fast forward nineteen years and guess what! As of this September, she moved into her own unit on Grunion. Connie already has commented on how much she enjoys seeing the dog owners with their pets walk by her patio. “Some really beautiful dogs”. ■ |
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A new resident to Harbor Vista, Candice Shultz has volunteered to plant flowers and foliage around the building where her condo resides (the 4861 Lago Building). Candice Shultz has purchased at her own 
expense, plants and mulch to landscape around her building. For the plantings under the stairway, she is watering them herself since the sprinkler system is broken. Members living in her building have expressed how much she has improved the aesthetics of the area and she is not done yet. Irritated by the use of “Round Up" (a carcinogen), which not only kills the weeds in 
the green areas around her building, but also the grass, she is now considering seeding the botched grass area around her building.
and gardening having maintained a large property for many years. If other member would want advice to pursue such a volunteered undertaking, contact the Newsletter and we will put you in contact with her. Maybe the HOA should start sponsoring homeowners’ gardening club or somethings. ■