This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | March 4th

Stinging and Burning Nettle Weed Control

Ongoing control of weeds will be occurring through Spring on the trails. Consistent with our practice since June 2018 we use organic products to treat weeds such as Avenger Weed Killer, a natural citrus oil-based organic herbicide.

Stinging and Burning Nettle is one of the prevalent weeds being battled at this time by our trail crews. Horses and dogs don’t usually eat stinging nettle, however, if they brush up against it while walking or lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant’s leaves and stems cause a skin reaction and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more. The standard practice for our trail crews is to weed whip the taller nettles to reduce the height of the plant and spot spray the base of the weeds and adjacent remaining weeds to limit regrowth.

Equines and pets using trails should not be permitted to eat the stinging nettle or grasses or weeds in close proximity to them. Enjoy your time on the trail and the beautiful weather.

 

Help The Cause by Donating

 

The 5th Annual Blood drive is here and being held at Nellie Gail Ranch Clubhouse Parking lot on March 8th. Schedule your appointment today by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code NellieGail

 

March Pony Express Magazine

 

The March Pony Express is here. No need to wait for the newsletter to reach your mailbox, read the March Issue online today!

 

March Pony Express

No need to wait, the March issue is out now!

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 28, 2022

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This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 28, 2022

Hidden Trail Park Playground Renovation Project

The Hidden Trail Park playground renovation project is underway. The playground and adjacent concrete path is closed and surrounded with a protective barrier fence while construction is being performed. The project is scheduled to be completed by February 16, 2022.

Pet Safety Reminder

Please be a good and responsible neighbor by maintaining control of your pet while in parks and on trails. Additionally, people with and without pets are sometimes unsure of a dogs intention and can become fearful when approached on a trail or in a community park by an off leash dog. The below flyer from Mission Viejo Animal Services has information regarding the leash law and pet safety.

Security Safety Tip of the Week

Lights! Camera! Action!

Lights! Don’t give a burglar the cover of darkness around your home in which to work. Be sure the front of your home is well lit at night. The options for effective security lighting range from a simple porch light that you turn on before turning in at night, to dusk to dawn technology that activates at or around dusk, to motion activated spotlights. Do some research, find out what works best for your home and budget and get started!

Camera! Like lighting, there is a wide variety of security camera options available to protect your home. A do it yourself-er may prefer an option like Ring, widely available commercially, that provide an array of low cost, easy to install doorbell cameras for your front door and motion activated spotlight cameras for the perimeter areas of your yard. You can pick what you need, add and modify as needed, and their service plans are affordable and flexible based upon your needs. There are also countless professional security camera companies available who will do an assessment of your property and customize a security camera system that meets your needs and budget.

Action! Take some simple, common-sense steps to make your home less attractive to criminals. Be sure the entryways and windows of your home are not hidden by overgrown trees and bushes. Do not leave extension ladders in your yard providing easy access to the second-floor doors and windows of your home. Lock your doors and windows when you are not at home. Let your neighbors know if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. You can also request home checks by the Sheriff’s Department if you will be away on vacation.

Home security is everyone’s business. It is unreasonable to expect the police or private security to prevent all crime. Make your home less attractive to criminals and you will be less likely to become a victim of crime. Lights! Camera! Action! means safety and security for your home and loved ones!

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 21, 2022

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This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 21, 2022

Notice of Board of Directors Election

The Annual Meeting of the Members and Election of Board of Directors is set for Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nellie Gail Ranch Clubhouse. In order to achieve quorum, at least fifty percent (50%) of the homeowners must vote. In the event that less than 50% vote, the Reconvened Election meeting date will be Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. This year three (3) seats are up for election.

At the Board Meeting held January 18, 2022 the Board appointed The Ballot Box as Inspectors of Election. The next step in the election process will be for the Board to appoint a Nominating Committee. Below is the solicitation and application for volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee. The February issue of The Pony Express will include a solicitation for board candidates.

After receiving applications the Nominating Committee will then formally nominate the candidates and a pre-ballot notice listing candidate names to be included on the ballot will be posted prior to April 1, 2022. We will provide updates on the election and formal notices via these weekly reports and The Pony Express. If you have any questions regarding the process please e-mail admin@nelliegailranch.org.

Notice of Proposed Revisions to Election Rules

This notice of proposed revisions to the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Election Rules sets forth the purpose and effect of the proposed changes.

Effective January 1, 2022 California Civil Code has set forth two new election requirements that we propose to incorporate into the Election Rules most recently adopted November 19, 2019. You may send comments by e-mail to admin@nelliegailranch.org.
Notice of Proposed Revisions to Election Rules
Link to Election Rules

Application for Nominating Committee Appointment

Consistent with Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association By-Laws Article VI, Section 1, the Board of Directors will be appointing a Nominating Committee at the February 15, 2022 Board Meeting. If you have an interest in serving, please complete the below linked form and return by Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
Nominating Committee Application
Nominating Committee Charter

Hidden Trail Park Playground Closed for Renovation

The Hidden Trail Park playground is being renovated this month with new equipment. The playground and adjacent concrete path will be closed to use and will surrounded with a protective barrier fence while demolition and construction is being performed for approximately 3 weeks. Demolition of the old play structures will start on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 and the new playground should be completed by February 16, 2022.

Event Notices

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 14, 2022

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This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 14, 2022

Nellie Gail Ranch Board Meeting

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:30PM. View the Open Session Agenda below.
View Open Session Agenda

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89759556217?pwd=NVZ0MHFDVkxpMFhyOXZPVFBJYllVQT09

Meeting ID: 897 5955 6217

Dial in #: 669 900 6833

Passcode: 741209

Event Notices

Due to rising COVID cases, the Bee Keeping Seminar scheduled on January 19th is postponed. Additionally, the EPC Water Preservation Training session scheduled for January 20th has also been postponed. We will reschedule both at a more convenient time.

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 7, 2022

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This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 7, 2022

January Pony Express

The January Pony Express is here. No need to wait for the newsletter to reach your mailbox, read the January Issue online today!
Read Now

Association Clubhouse Restroom Renovation

The following is an update on our construction schedule for the restrooms and bar. Work on the Swim Center restrooms is substantively complete and nearly ready to open. Unfortunately the restroom partitions remain on backorder until February. In order to commence work on the Tennis Center restrooms we have installed temporary partitions in the Swim Center restrooms. Demo on the Tennis Center restrooms will commence Monday.

Meanwhile, we are making progress working on the bar and kitchen buildout. All below ground interior plumbing is complete and the foundation trenches re-poured. Electrical and drywall will soon follow. Appliances are on their way and we have a tentative completion date of the first week of February.

Thank you for your patience as we work to complete these Clubhouse projects that we are confident will enhance the value of your ownership!!

EPC Training and Bee Keeping Seminar Postponed

Due to rising COVID cases, the Bee Keeping Seminar scheduled on January 19th is postponed. Additionally, the EPC Water Preservation Training session scheduled for January 20th has also been postponed. We will reschedule both at a more convenient time.

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | December 31, 2021

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This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on December 31, 2021

Holiday Hours of Operation

The Recreation Center Tennis & Swim Club will close at noon Friday, December 31st and will be closed all-day New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1st. The Club will be open on Sunday, January 2, 2022. The Association Business Office will be closed Friday, December 31st.

Mountain Lion Sighting

We received a credible report of a mountain lion spotted in the backyard of a property on the west side of Lost Colt Drive approximately 1 a.m. the morning of December 29, 2021. According to the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife (CADFW), mountain lions may be attracted to the community by the horse and farm animal population. In light of this reported encounter, please keep a close eye on your horses, alpacas, goats, dogs and chickens.

Please report any mountain lion or bobcat sightings to the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife at (858) 467-4201 or file a Wildlife Incident Report (WIR) at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir/incident/create. If your encounter with any wildlife is an emergency, call 911.

Filing a Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR): The WIR System assigns a designated “Investigator” based on the geographic location of the wildlife incident reported. The Investigator may be a Department Biologist or Wildlife Officer (warden) who will receive general notification by email of an assigned WIR incident. Department staff strive to respond to all WIRs in a timely manner.

The below link provides some additional information regarding Mountain Lions: https://www.orangecountyoutdoors.com/wildlife/land-mammals/mountain-lion.

Trails Closed Due to Rain

Trails are currently closed through the weekend due to rain. Please do not schedule feed or hay deliveries while the trails are wet. Every year we get one or two drivers who think they can beat the odds and it turns into an ordeal to offload and wait for the trails to be dry enough to send out a rescue. We do not send a general re-opening notice because our 25 miles of trails dry at different rates.

If you are not sure about your specific trail condition, please contact Jeff Hinkle at 949-425-1477 and he will inspect and evaluate.

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | December 24, 2021

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on December 24, 2021
Hop in your car and view the winners of this year’s Holiday Decorating Contest! There were so many beautifully decorated homes this year it was hard to choose!

Each winner will receive a yard sign and a gift package provided by Anvil Real Estate / Melody Smith & Associates. Photos of the winning homes will also be featured in the January issue of the Pony Express.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TOUR MAP
Thank you to our Contributing Sponsor,
Thank you to all participants who decked their stalls. We have some winners for the Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Center Annual Stall Decoration Contest: LYRICAL (1st place – decorated by Amber Clark), WHINNIE (2nd place – decorated by Nicole Bhathal), and MARKO POLO (3rd place – decorated by Jennifer Portnoff).
The Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association office will be closed Friday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, and Monday, December 27th, in observance of Christmas Day.

The Tennis & Swim Club will close at 12 noon Friday, December 24th, and all-day Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25th. The Club will be open on Sunday, December 26, 2021, normal hours, from 6:00 am to dusk.

Holiday Home Decorating Touring Guide

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Holiday Home Decorating Touring Guide

Our annual Holiday Decorating Contest participants went all out again this year! Below is a touring guide to help you enjoy all the colorful lights and sounds with family and friends as you tour the homes. Winners will be announced next week. A big thank you to all those who participated whether registered for the contest or not! You have all contributed to a very festive 2021 Holiday Season. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season during this wondrous time of year!

Nellie Gail Ranch North

The starting point is Oso Parkway at Nellie Gail Road

Go North on Nellie Gail Road and turn left on Buckboard Lane

Proceed past Stetson Place to 24802 Buckboard (on your left)

Continue and as Buckboard becomes Buckskin look for 24891 Buckskin Dr. (on your left)

Continue to 25071 Buckskin Dr. (on your right)

Proceed to Broken Bit Ln. Turn Right.

Continue to 26542 Broken Bit Ln. on cul-de-sac

Return to Buckskin Dr. Turn Right

Continue to Nellie Gail Road. Turf Left.

Continue to Mustang. Turn Left.

Proceed to Farrier Circle. Turn Right.

Proceed to Anvil Circle. Turn Right.

Continue to 25111 Anvil Circle on cul-de sac.

Return to Mustang Drive. Turn Right.

Proceed to Red Corral. Turn right.

Proceed to 26141 Red Corral and 26131 Red Corral (on your left)

Proceed to Nellie Gail Road. Turn Left.

Continue to 25522 Nellie Gail Road (on your right)

Make an immediate left on Gallup Circle.

Proceed to 25326 Gallup Circle (on your left)

Turn and return to Nellie Gail Road. Turn left.

Continue to 25731 Nellie Gail Road (on your left)

Proceed to Sherriff Road drive to the cul-de-sac and return to Nellie Gail Road. Turn Right.

Proceed to Glen Canyon Drive. Turn left.

25955 Glen Canyon Drive is 1st house on the right.

25972 Glen Canyon Drive is 2nd house on the left.

Continue to High Plains Terrace. Turn left.

Proceed to 25762 High Plains Terrace (on your right)

Return to Glen Canyon Drive. Turn left.

Make immediate left on Mt. Diablo Rd.

Proceed to 26172 Mount Diablo Rd. (on your left)

Proceed to cul-de-sac and return to Glen Canyon Drive. Turn left.

Continue to Bridlewood Drive. Turn right.

Proceed to 26192 Bridlewood Drive (on your right)

Continue to 26162 Bridlewood Drive (on your right)

Continue up Bridlewood Drive which turns into Nellie Gail Road

Continue down Nellie Gail Road to Oso Parkway

Cross Oso Parkway to the south side of Nellie Gail Ranch where many more decorated homes await viewing!

Nellie Gail Ranch South

Continue to your first left at Empty Saddle Dr. Turn left.

Proceed to 25422 Empty Saddle Dr. (on your left)

Take either cul-de-sac to the left or right and return to Nellie Gail Road. Turn left.

Proceed to 25041 Nellie Gail Road (on your right)

Continue to Lost Colt Dr. Turn left.

Proceed to 27212 Lost Colt Dr. (on your left)

Continue to 27322 Lost Colt Dr. (on your left)

Continue around Lost Colt Dr. which loops and turns into Westridge Ln.

Continue to Lost Colt. Turn left.

Take the 1st right back onto Nellie Gail Road.

Proceed to Hidden Trail Road. Turn right.

Continue to Wagon Wheel Circle. Turn left.

Proceed to 25401 Wagon Wheel Circle (on your left)

Proceed around the cul-de-sac and return to Hidden Trail Rd. Turn left.

At the stop sign turn left which is still Hidden Trail Rd.

Take your 1st left onto Lone Pine Circle.

Proceed to 25481 and 25511 Lone Pine Circle (on your left)

Return to Hidden Trail Rd. Turn left.

Follow Hidden Trail Rd past Pinestrap Circle as it loops to the left.

Proceed to 27796 Hidden Trail Rd. (on your left)

Exit through Greenfield and enjoy dinner or treats at The Center in Rancho Niguel

We hope you enjoy your tour!!

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | December 10, 2021