Hoax on San Rafael

The morning newspaper had this story: "Police are searching for the person who created a “hoax” device and planted it on the curb along San Rafael Drive on Sunday morning, forcing closure of a portion of the street for more than three hours while officials investigated. The device was found at 10:07 a.m. by someone out for a walk, Palm Springs police Sgt. Harvey Reed said. “While it was not an explosive device, it was designed to look like one,” Reed said.The Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team assisted Palm Springs police in the investigation and deployed a robot to inspect the device, which appeared to be covered in a fluorescent green wrapping. Surrounding residents were not evacuated, but the street was closed to traffic and pedestrians between Hermosa Drive and Avenida Caballeros." Miss Penny Lane says: She's welcoming back the blue skies for the start of the week.

New dog waste station installed

A new trash and dog waste station with plastic bags has been installed next to the Palermo clubhouse. Miss Penny Lane says: She's barking for a new trash can for herself at home.

Annual meeting

The Palermo Palm Springs HOA had its annual meeting yesterday evening. If we get any reports we will post them, or add them here if you attended. Miss Penny Lane says: She's also ready for her annual check-up.

Year in review: Big changes for 34 condos

Continuing our year in review, the No. 9 story of 2012 was the big change for Palermo residents living in the 34 unsold condos, first owned by the developer Enterprise and then a Chicago bank. In 2012, these units were bought by a private company. The local rental company, which at one point also had spot on the HOA board, is no longer managing these units with the new company taking over the duties. Miss Penny Lane says: What a wonderful sunny Saturday morning at Palermo, with the clouds disappearing.

Sunburst concerns

Positively Palermo received this e-mail regarding an event earlier this month: "Hi Ms. Penny, I am not sure that this e-mail will make any sense given that I was up from 2:00 AM - 4:00 AM because of a party on Sunburst last night. It is amazing how insensitive people can be as they honk their horns, scream, and drive down the street at 40 mph all in the middle of the night. But, the main reason I am writing you is that I called the security company last night to come and check out the noise disturbance and the security officer told me he didn't have the gate code to get into the complex. Are you kidding me? We are paying a security company that cannot get into our community? In the end I don't think he ever showed up and all of us were up and unable to sleep during the mid-night craziness ... Thanks, A Tired Sunburst Resident." Miss Penny Lane says: Sorry!

Year in review: Community rallies around HOA board

Continuing our year in review, the No. 8 story of 2012 was the way in which the Palermo community or owners and renters came together to support the Palermo Palm Springs HOA board in the summer. A board "recall" attempt — dubbed a so-called "takeover" attempt by some — ended up backfiring with the community rallying around the four individuals holding the board leadership positions, who were all re-elected and even in some cases given longer terms. The election saw nearly everyone vote. Miss Penny Lane says: She's like to recall this cool weather.

HOA board elections upcoming

The annual elections for Palermo Palm Springs HOA board of directors is this month, with two of the five seats on the board up for election. The terms of for two years each. Two candidates are running for the two places, and thus there is not much of an election, an odd situation perhaps in light of the number of candidates in the failed recall election of 2012 in which owners backed the current board leadership by huge numbers. Miss Penny Lane says: She's electing to pamper herself this weekend.

Year in review: Palermo home prices ´skyrocket´ in 2012

Continuing our year in review, the No. 7 story of the year is the increasing home prices at Palermo Palm Springs of the so-called non-distressed homes (not short sales or foreclosure sales), which have gone up between 50 and 75 percent from the years before. The reasons are said to include both - macro - a lack of modern homes on the Palm Springs market and - micro - the enhanced management situation, increased reserves and stable HOA monthly dues, and positively views that Palermo is a safe and stable community that enforces rules to protect investments and quality of life. Miss Penny Lane says: She´s happier than ever.

Year in review: HOA gets large cash settlement

Continuing our year in review, the No. 6 story of the year was that the HOA board reached a "settlement" with the bank that owned the "Enterptrise" condos and other properties, including $150K to be put into the Palermo HOA reserves and tens of thousands of dollars for other expenses. Miss Penny Lane says: She´s never reserved.

Year in review: HOA dues aren´t raised

Continuing our year in review, the No. 5 story is that the HOA board did not raise the monthly HOA dues, and kept them at $294 per month, a first. Dues had been going up every year, but now we have been told we are operating in the black and putting money in the rainy day reserves accounts to boot. Miss Penny Lane says: Now she has more cash for her make-up fund.

A nice note

Positively Palermo received this e-mail: "Miss Penny, Thanks for this site and what you do for Palermo. I like all the holiday lights and pictures. Keep up the good work for us and I will be reading in 2013. Signed, A Fan." Miss Penny Lane says: Cheers to you, too.

Year in review: HOA gets the clubhouse and pool from the bank

Continuing our year in review, the No. 4 story is that the Palermo HOA gained possession and control of the Palermo clubhouse, gym, and front pool and spa, and associated common-use areas, in a deal with the bank. These facilities were never transferred to the HOA and became the bank´s properties in the foreclosure on developer Enterprise of Chicago. A fear was that these areas could have been closed or sold off, but the HOA board reached an agreement with the bank at no cost to the HOA. Miss Penny Lane says: She´s ready for a dip.

Year in review: New management company put in place

Continuing our year in review at Palermo Palm Springs is the replacement of the management company with Euclid Management. Miss Penny Lane says: She's managed to survive all her New Year's parties and make it through the workweek.

Year in review: Unsold Enterprise properties are bought

The No. 2 story of 2012 at Palermo Palm Springs was the sale by the bank of the 34 unsold condos, six vacant models, and undeveloped land in October to investors. The new owners plan to rent out the models and take over the management of the 34 other rental units themselves until the units are sold. Miss Penny Lane says: She's known as an enterprising gal.

Year in review: Bank goes bye bye

Today, Positively Palermo will begin to review some of the top events of 2012 at Palermo Palm Springs. No. 1 is the removal of a Chicago bank as a participant in the Palermo community after it foreclosed on the developer Enterprise condos and vacant land in 2010. Miss Penny Lane says: She banks on change at Palermo and the happy days seen in 2012.

To a joyous and neighborly 2013

May the new year bring joy and good spirits to you and your family, and all at Palermo Palm Springs and beyond. Miss Penny Lane says: She's ready.