Scalise reached both companies and arranged for an on-site meeting on August 1st. Charkviani and another homeowner met with the owner of Full Boar. The other company, West Coast Hunting, was not available.

At this point the pigs – a very large sow (female) and 5 piglets - have been seen multiple times in a regular pattern through NHOA property for around two weeks. They arrive just before or after dawn, presumably coming from the dry creek bed between Shire and Broncho. They then run as a group into the open space behind 3126 Broncho and into the common area above Hambletonian Lane. They run toward the barn either by the path near the tennis courts or around the long runs. They then run along the back of the barn to get to the flood control property. They also have been reported running later in the morning along the ridge on the other side of the dry creek bed that parallels the road to the barn . Feral hogs tend to be nocturnal; at this point it is not known where this group is sleeping.

Although the Northgate area has never had a wild pig infestation, it is not particularly uncommon. Large housing developments in Moraga, Lafayette, Danville and San Ramon have reported invasions within the last decade. The vast majority are in properties that are close to Mount Diablo or other regional parks and undeveloped hillsides.

August is a particularly common time for them to appear because the the hillside areas become too dry to provide nourishment. Feral pigs are omnivores. They eat grass, bulbs, acorns and other nuts, berries and fruit. They also eat reptiles, birds, eggs and animal carcasses. But they really like lawns and turf. They reportedly can destroy an entire neighborhood almost overnight.

Photos of one night's work for a couple of feral hogs in Lafayetee, courtesy of KGO

Videos of the landscape in Danville and San Ramon communities that have had invasions looks like it has been roto-tilled. (See videos in sources below). They dig up the grass, and any plants or bushes that could offer nutrition or are home to food.

Wild pig families grow quickly and often. Boars in this area commonly have six to eight piglets per litter and generally have two litters each year. They have no natural predators. They move quickly and are unpredictable. Although feral pigs generally are not aggressive, they are known to attack unrestricted dogs (and children) when they feel threatened.

Adult males weigh from 200 to 450 pounds. They can be up to 3 feet tall at the shoulder and 5 feet long. Their long, sharp tusks can cause severe injuries. Wild hogs also carry parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to dogs and other animals through environmental as well as direct contact.

Options for controlling a wild boar invasion are very limited. Relocation through capture-and-release is considered dangerous by professionals because of the size, number, and unpredictability of the boars. The board has been told it is also usually ineffective. Trapping is narrowly restricted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The board has been informed that eradication presents the most effective, if not only, solution.

The California legislature has designated wild boars as game animals. Anyone hunting boars in this context must have a California hunter’s license and a Depredation permit from the California Fish & Game department. County permits also may be needed. The board has been told the timeline for boar removal from an invaded property is about eight weeks from the time a contract is signed. That's a long time.

Collins Management has contacted and requested bids from three vendors. At least one of them has a practice of offering the hog carcasses to food-related non-profits that butcher, package and donate it to various soup kitchens and other entities that provide food to those in need.

Charkviani said she expected at least one proposal will be received before the board meeting on Thursday and the feral hog situation will be discussed at length. She also expressed hope that board members will have sufficient information to make a decision on how to move forward by the end of the meeting.

Sources:

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Wild-Pig; https://www.kron4.com/news/boars-cause-serious-damage-in-danville-neighborhood/;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ch41AY_uk;

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fs-disease-risk-dogs.pdf

Please don’t work in the common area without first contacting our community management company

We’ve been asked to remind homeowners that no one other than Landscape Care employees or Association contractors are permitted to perform work in the common area or have others perform work on their behalf in the common area without first obtaining authorization from Collins Management. This includes permission to take down the common area gates between the lanes.

The Association has several sets of rules that regulate what homeowners may do regarding landscaping in the common areas – including trying to be helpful -- or when work on their property must be accessed through or on the common area. Most of them are related to landscaping and architectural review projects. They are on the NorthgateLife website under the "Rules" tab. 

The key is that you ask first. That way our community managers will be able to tell you whether you can do it on that date or season. They also will know it's being done and can inform, guide or ask questions about it and provide the information to Landscape Care. When it is work on your property but accessing or viewable in the common area, the community manager can determine whether you are allowed to do it and whether there needs to be neighbor notification prior to doing it.

All homeowners are required to notify the community manager and get the go-ahead from Collins Management before doing any trimming, planting, construction or removal work in or adjacent to the common areas, including when it is directly behind or next to your house. Homeowners who rent out their homes are responsible for informing their tenants of these rules.

This is particularly crucial with trees and their trimming or removal. Homeowners are not allowed to plant, trim or remove trees in the common area under any circumstances without getting written approval from Collins Management.

If you’re not sure what the rules are, here’s a starting point: 

Landscaping Rules in the Common Area

https://www.northgatelife.com/editor_upload/File/Rules%20and%20Policies/Northgate%20-%20Adopted%20Landscape%20Rules%20in%20the%20Common%20Area%20SGN.pdf

Fence rules

https://www.northgatelife.com/editor_upload/File/Governance/Rules/Fence%20Rules.pdf

Landscaping Rules for Member Lots

https://www.northgatelife.com/editor_upload/File/Rules%20and%20Policies/Landscape%20rules.pdf

If you have any questions or aren't sure about it, please contact community mnager Christine Alfaro or association community manager Roman Scalise.

Who is this man and what is he doing?

We couldn't think of a caption that could do justice to this photo. But we can't stop laughing about it. Do you think you could create a caption or story that would explain this photo ? We’re offering publication and a bottle of wine to any reader who sends us a story that’s fit to print, the odder the better. Send your caption/story here.

Chinatown's Rose-Pak station holds more than meets the eye - art, design & great connections

Entrance to Chinatown's Rose-Pak station at the intersection of Stockton and Washington Street in San Francisco. Photo: https://www.sfmta.com/places

If you have not visited San Francisco’s Union Square over the last decade, you may not be aware of a new underground subway station that was built to avoid major car traffic into Chinatown. It’s worth a visit for the station itself.

Rose-Pak’s entrance is at 943 Stockton Street (Washington Street intersection). It is San Francisco’s first new subway station in over 40 years and will be joined by three underground stations and one above-ground station joining the Muni Metro T Third line. Construction of the tunnel has taken place through some of the busiest areas of San Francisco over more than a decade.

Inside of Rose-Pak subway station. Photo courtesy of https://www.sfmta.com/places

This reporter had the privilege of recently riding from Rose-Pak station in Chinatown to Union Square, where the subway connects to the Powell Street BART station. The engineering is stunning, the ride down the multiple escalators is amazing. And public artwork is fully integrated into the station architecture for maximum impact.

By extending the T-Third 1.7 miles through SoMa, Union Square, and Chinatown, there is now faster, smoother transit service between some of the city’s busiest, most vibrant areas. The new T-Third line from Rose-Pak opened on January 7, 2023.

"Yangge: Dance of the New Year" by Yumei Hou. Photo courtesy of https://www.sfmta.com/places

"A Sense of Community" by Clara Rojas. Photo courtesy of https://www.sfmta.com/places

Planning the Central Subway began in the late 1980s to provide more public transit on 3rd Street and in Chinatown. After six years of construction, the first part of the T Third opened on 3rd Street in 2007. It connects neighborhoods in Mission Bay, Bayview, Hunter’s Point and Visitacion Valley. In 2013, work began to add 1.7 miles to the T Third, with four new stations in SoMa, Union Square and Chinatown. Tunnels over a mile long under the streets are as deep as 120 feet in some areas.

This is another major adventure to get away from the heat of Walnut Creek and you can leave your car at the BART station!

Now you know…

Sources:  https://www.sfmta.com/places/chinatown-rose-pak-station; 

THE SHORTCUT COOK'S CORNER

VEGGIE FRITTATA

from Lisa Assoni

Eggs are the ingredient that holds this healthy dish together.

One egg has about 77 calories, 6 grams of high-quality protein, 5 grams of fat, and 2.6 grams of saturated fat. Toss in iron, vitamins and minerals from the other ingredients and you have a complete healthy meal. Scrambled or fried, or even hardboiled, the eggs create a yummy dish--just for you. 

2 tbs. olive oil

1 small sweet white onion, diced

1/2 cup fresh or frozen spinach, diced

1/3 cup sliced Spanish olives

6 large eggs

1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Using a nonstick medium size skillet, add oil, spinach and onion. Saute until the onion is golden brown. Remove vegetables from skillet

In a separate bowl, combine eggs, cheese, and olives. Cover the bottom of the skillet with the egg mixture. Add the vegetables and mix into eggs. Cook on medium heat, mixing the vegetables in thoroughly.

Lift the side edges of frittata to allow the egg liquid to run underneath the cooked area.

By the end of cooking, the top of the frittata should not be runny.

When you think it is done, take a larger dish and flip it over, placing the cooked side-up.

Flip with caution. It's very hot! 

Keep the heat on low for about 3 minutes. Let it cool for a tad before serving.

Enjoy!