YLP Community News
Dec. 8 board highlights
View Dec. 8 YLOA board meeting Highlights(click on sentence to view video clip) • Effect of pandemic and lockdown orders continues to have a major impact on staff and operations. No staff members have yet reported covid positive.• General manager and assistant...
Assessing YLP’s roads
From Jonathan PenroseYLOA/YSPUC General Manager Our roads assessment has been completed. This is an important part of our overall roads plan, as it allows us to prioritize the most appropriate and cost effective treatments based on road conditions and to measure our...
Golf etiquette
By KEN SOUZA, YLP Golf Course Manager Our play at the course has increased, and we have a number of new golfers, and a few veterans who could use a refresher course on Golf Etiquette, and the Dress Code. I have attached an article that does a good job of covering the...
A holiday ride through YLP
https://youtu.be/BbL8OnwAa2Q
LOL welcomes new leaders
At its December meeting, Ladies of the Lakes installed the new 2021 board: Michele Sartain, president; Mary Swenson and Gail Jeffus, co-vice presidents; Carole Lorenzini and Melissa Lacy, co-treasurers, and Lora Toles, secretary. Diane Mahan will remain on the board...
Birds nuts over berries
I had been waiting for this moment for an entire year: the ripening of berries on a giant pyracantha bush. Last year the crop was disappointing. Worse, European Starlings consumed the whole bunch in just two days, before anybody else could take a bite. This year,...
LOL: Successful fundraising
By Diane Mahan, Ladies of the Lakes president Ladies of the Lakes' final Silent Auction of 2020 exceeded all the previous ones we have held this year. We raised $930 with merchandise bidding and received additional donations of $195, netting $1,125 for our high...
YLP Golf Course on the upswing
By KEN SOUZAYLP Golf Course Operations ManagerIt has been a long time since I brought the community up to date on our golf course. Since I took over as the operations manager of the course, we have developed a plan to increase the use of the course by making the...
Permit required to burn
CAL FIRE has lifted its outdoor burning suspension, but burning is allowed only if you have a valid residential burn permit AND it is a permissive burn day. Please read the release below.
LOL: Results of silent auctions
From Ladies of the Lakes President Diane Mahan: The latest silent auction sponsored by Ladies of the Lakes for the benefit of Station 10 raised $720. We would like to thank the residents of YLP for donations of merchandise and their generous bidding. A...
LOL: Memorial Tree
From Ladies of the Lakes President Diane Mahan: While we looked out on the clubhouse lake last Saturday, a sunny fall morning, friends and family of men who gave time, service and heart to YLP were memorialized by the planting of a tree purchased by Ladies of the...
Celebrate YLP’s 50th!
Clubhouse flag waves again
Old Glory waves again atop the YLP Clubhouse flagpole, after local volunteers and YLOA maintenance staff were able to get again to the top of the pole and restore a halyard which had broken and slipped off the pulley months ago. A big thank you to all who helped!
California Scrub-Jay
By Robert Groos California Scrub-Jay in flight. Gather ye acorns while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying… With apologies to poet Robert Herrick, it is October in the oak woodlands: we have no rosebuds. Instead, we have acorns, and they are falling from the trees. It...
Golf course care & keeping
The YLP Golf Course is always well maintained, but this October has been getting some special treatment, not only with the periodic aerating of greens but resodding the back of the 8th green and planned overseeding of the course. On top of that, a big project to bring...
Proposed sign guidelines
The YLOA Board of Directors recently approved proposed revised sign guidelines to follow local government law. Guidelines are now posted for a 28-day review and comment period. They can be seen here and on our Public Documents page. ...
YLOA board takes action
Motions approved Tuesday, Oct. 6, by the YLOA Board of Directors: • Change the regular monthly meetings of the YLOA Board of Directors from the last Tuesday of each month to the first Tuesday to give additional time for preparation of board packets. This will...
Sept. 26 golf scramble a success
From John Wandler, vice chairman Yosemite Lakes Golf AssociationOnce again we had a great turnout with 37 players. We mixed up play by alternating RED, WHITE and BLUES tee shots. Our handicapping system continues to be keep winning scores competitive. Our...
LOL makes donations
Diane Mahan, 2020 Ladies of the Lakes President Ladies of the Lakes resumed their fall monthly meetings via Zoom with a discussion as to how we could show compassion to those impacted by the Creek Fire. First, we agreed to send $500 to an animal...
YLP Cares accepting donations
YLP Cares is now accepting donations at www.ylpcares.org.
About the emergency water repairs
Published Aug. 28, 2020From General Manager Jonathan Penrose's report to the YLOA Board of Directors: ○ In August, we experienced a total failure on well 36A that supplies water to tank 4 and serves the lower Long Hollow area. Due to high demand, we had previously...
Water for golf, landscaping
Published Aug. 28, 2020 From General Manager Jonathan Penrose’s report to the YLOA Board of Directors:The current water emergency threatens sustainability of the golf course. While most of the water used at the golf course is from natural run-off, this is the time of...
Aug. 25 board meetings
The new YLOA and YSPUC Boards of Directors for 2020-21 both held their first regular meetings Tuesday night. Resolutions adopted by the YLOA board were: Governing Docs Spend not more than $9,500 for the attorney to update the bylaws and DORs to current...
YLP FAQs
NOTE: YLP Q&A session videos are now on the Videos page What about the roads, the water, the dues, the amenities? YLP people have questions and want answers! Well, we may not be able to answer every question right away, but here's a place where you can get the...
Help plants through the heat
Caring for California native plants during extreme heat The air is yellow today, plus extreme heat and dangerous air quality. My morning garden walk was a search and rescue mission, for plants showing signs of extreme stress. I did spot- watering, mostly...
Water levels holding steady
Published Aug. 19 Thanks to everyone's efforts to conserve and great work by our YLP staff, water levels are holding steady at the Long Hollow tank — barely. The new pump is assembled and being lowered to the proper depth in the well. It is presently at 500 feet and...
Killdeer — the ‘broken wing’ bird
By Bob Groos Killdeer. What an odd name for a bird. Apparently, “killdeer” is a phonetic translation of the vocalization that 18th century naturalists thought they heard when the bird was in flight. Audio courtesy Xeno-Canto (Marvin) This past April, killdeer began...
YLP water status critical
Published Aug. 13 A number of recent events are requiring YSPUC to alert all water customers to reduce usage immediately. Since most of the extra demand on the system comes from external (outside the home) watering, YLOA/YSPUC General Manager Jonathan Penrose is...
Pool reopens-new rules
POOL REOPENS WITH NEW RULES Please read and observe the new rules: https://www.yosemitelakespark.org/pool-tennis/
Reminder: office hours & calls
YLOA office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 Monday through Friday, except for posted holidays when the office is closed. If you call on these days, between these hours, you should be able to reach a customer service representative by choosing "1" at the first prompt. If you...
Save water in YLP
With a dry, hot summer well under way, YLOA-YSPUC General Manager Jonathan Penrose is asking everyone to conserve water whenever possible. Water usage is up this year because of many more people staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get useful conservation tips...
2020 election results
OFFICIAL YOSEMITE LAKES PARK BUSINESS YLOA has a new Board of Directors for 2020-21. Following a 3-hour vote counting by volunteers, Inspector of Elections Marie Touitou has announced this year's election outcome: YLOA 2020 Election Results Quorum required for the...
Trucks for water company
YLP's water company crews will soon have a couple of long-awaited and much-need specialty trucks. The YSPUC Board of Directors meeting in special online session on July 17 approved purchase of the trucks with the price not to exceed $180,000 without further board...
Video: the floriferous Brandegee’s sage
A star of the California native plant garden is Brandegee’s Sage, Salvia brandegei. It’s fast, lush, floriferous, resilient, deerproof and remarkably drought-tolerant. Join me in my springtime garden, as I sit in a patch of this intoxicating sage,...
Great-tailed grackle
What do birds and wrestling have in common? Nothing, actually, unless the birds happen to be great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus). These boisterous blackbirds occupy the trees around the lake and clubhouse parking lot from spring through fall. If your timing is...
State mandates masks
Face coverings now required in California public places.
Federal program helps YLP
By Jonathan PenroseYLOA/YSPUC General Manager The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) received some much needed revision recently that will benefit our community and association. The PPP provides federal funding to businesses in financial need to help weather the fiscal...
Coronavirus: Latest YLP news
(This page will be updated whenever there is new local information) The ONLY OFFICIAL source of information about how YLP is dealing with COVID-19 is yosemitelakespark.org and direct YLOA communications. The situation is dynamic as new information...
2020 YLOA election
2020 YLOA election & candidatesBallot and envelopes included with election packet mailed to each YLOA member in early June JULY 12 UPDATE The Inspector of Elections announced that as of 1 p.m. Sunday, July 12, the number of ballots turned in did not constitute a...
Got joy? Try native plants
by LESLIE LIPTON In the spring I make coffee, feed the birds, and wander in my garden. I’ve been known to lose my coffee cup. Why? The joy disorients me. My mostly-native YLP garden explodes with color and life. Buzzing calms my overactive...
What’s good for the goose
... is good for the gosling On some mornings, before the sun peeks over Revis Mountain, you can hear them honking from a mile away. Even when they are not around, you know they have been here because of the calling cards they distribute across every inch of grass. An...
About 2020 election changes
OFFICIAL YOSEMITE LAKES PARK BUSINESS In response to questions received prior to the open YLOA Board of Directors meeting Tuesday, May 26, regarding the upcoming election, the board provided the following information: The changes to Davis-Stirling brought sudden...
A book for each grad
A YLP couple have launched a nonprofit called The MJ Project with the mission "To inspire teens with choice, a book, and the confidence to imagine what could be." As a part of that project, Leslie Lipton and Tom Nelson are making this generous offer to Class of 2020...
State: keep pools closed
PER STATE DIRECTIVE, POOL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. During the shelter in place directive, the governor issued an order requiring PUBLIC pools to be closed. Per Davis-Stirling newsletter, HOA pools were not considered PUBLIC, and thus opening the pool and/or hot...
LOL cancels 2020 events
By Diane MahanLadies of the Lakes 2020 presidentLadies of the Lakes board has decided to cancel all community events the remainder of the year, and while we are hoping to resume club meetings in September, only time will tell. For those of you that look...
YLP nixes snake assist
YLP Security will no longer handle calls from YLOA households asking for help in removing rattlesnakes. The change was made because of worker's compensation restrictions, according to YLOA Human Resources Manager Krista Brown. Rattlesnake situations are now the...
YLOA board election notice
OFFICIAL YOSEMITE LAKES PARK BUSINESS This year we have six qualified candidates running for four open seats on the Yosemite Lakes Owners' Association Board of Directors. Sue Beck Todd BenzieRebecca Brannon Kathleen MillerRandy SacksKen Sartain The four...
YLOA board OK’s new budget
OFFICIAL YOSEMITE LAKES PARK BUSINESS On Tuesday, April 28th, the YLOA Board of Directors voted 6-1 to pass the budget for the 2020/2021 fiscal year. The new budget includes a modest increase to homeowners assessments of $6.17/month — primarily to...
It’s nesting time
s Can you remember your first nest? I can remember mine. I was in the fifth grade. A hummingbird made a nest on a slender tree branch right outside my second floor bedroom window. It was so close I could have raised the window and touched it, but I didn’t dare. The...
YLP Q&As
YLOA and YSPUC General Manager Jonathan Penrose invites members of the YLP community to email him questions about YLP matters and he will answer them in a live chat at 6 p.m. each Tuesday at yosemitelakespark.org. Just email to QA@yloa.org or QA@yosemitelakespark.org....
Look for: Official YLP Business
To: All YLOA members and the YLP community Please look for this on our social media communications: OFFICIAL YOSEMITE LAKES PARK BUSINESS ALL OTHER SOURCES should be considered to be the personal opinion of the social media poster and often do not accurately...
2020 annual election packet
It's a challenging time, but the business of our community continues — and for YLP in April, that means preparing for annual Board of Directors elections. After publishing the official notice of election a few days ago, we're now providing the complete packet for...
‘Lord of the Rings’ readings
During this time of 'shelter in place,' the opportunities for entertainment and social interaction with those in our community is severely curtailed.Join our general manager, Jonathan Penrose, for a social reading of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic "Lord of the...
Notice of election
Fairway Cafe goes to card-only payment
Starting Friday, the Fairway Cafe will accept only phoned-in orders using credit or debit card.
Wild turkeys on parade
March is mating season, and adult males are on parade, hoping to hook up with one or more willing hens. The pageantry is equally theatrical as it is captivating.
Why social distancing is crucial in YLP
Be smart. Be safe. And PLEASE take the recommendations from the CDC and health professionals seriously.
Prudence, not panic
These are unprecedented times for most of us here in YLP…
The pied-billed grebe
Last fall, I fell in love while walking around Blue Heron Lake. The object of my infatuation? Let me show you…
YLOA board sets stage for election
The YLOA Board of Directors took the following actions at the regular Feb. 25, 2020 meeting
Madera County growth boom
According to the latest government data, Madera County is outpacing other similar-sized counties, both in California and around the western U.S., in terms of economic growth.
Native plants grow in YLP
An enthusiastic group has begun what they hope will be a transformative project to beautify YLP in a new, more natural, and less water-dependent way.
The Hunchback of YLP:
Standing or flying, black-crowned night herons keep their head tucked in, which gives them a hunchback appearance.
Oakhurst Hwy 41 project
SierraNewsOnline: A major construction project will impact traffic along Oakhurst’s main artery — Highway 41.
Valentines for WWII vet
A World War II veteran, age 104, is asking for a few cards and letters to be sent his way this Valentine’s Day.
Wheeler’s 2020 priorities
SierraNewsOnline: District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler thinks 2020 is going to be “another up year” for eastern Madera County.
The bluebird
Bluebirds have long been celebrated as a symbol of renewal, prosperity, and happiness…
YSPUC budget for 2020
The Yosemite Spring Park Utility Co. Board of Directors meeting on on Dec. 29 approved a new budget for 2020. Read the overview and view the budget…
New YLOA rules OK’d
The YLOA Board of Directors on Sunday, Dec. 29, approved new Membership Meeting and Voting Rules to comply with new California law…
Diving into YLP’s water
Did you know that, a few weeks ago, we had men swimming around inside YLP’s many water tanks?
Important notes for YLOA members
YLOA members are asked to read and respond to the following requests…
Trucks’ new logo
Look for the new YLP labels on our trucks …
Group hike Dec. 14
Everyone’s invited to join the Trails and Recreation Committee’s next group hike on Saturday, Dec. 14.
New election rules open for comments
New rules governing YLOA elections are now posted for public comment for the next four weeks.
Bylaws/DORs vote, new policies
Results from the bylaws/DORs “proxy” vote, 3 new board policies, North Dome paving update…
Talking turkey
THE BIRD MAN: We’re gonna talk turkey. Wild turkey, actually…
Voice or no voice?
About the Voting Proxy form and the need to update our bylaws/DORs …
The secret world of the phainopepla
THE BIRD MAN: The first time I saw a phainopepla, I was with an Audubon outing in the Coachella Valley, outside of Palm Springs…
Boutique boosts scholarships
Ladies of the Lakes would like to thank the community for supporting our Holiday Boutique….
Burglary suspect sought
SierraNewsOnline: Police search for suspect in YLP home invasion…
Roofin’ the stalls
YLOA’s Maintenance employees work last week on new, badly needed roofing for the Equestrian Center stalls…
Trail clearing
The Trails and Recreation Committee volunteers were hard at work Oct. 24…
Outage impact on YLP’s water
YSPUC manager Ken Harrington explains the impact of the outage last month on YLP’s water system.
Living with outages
Yosemite Lakes Park this past week got a taste of what some are calling the “new normal”…
YLP golf news
Fall has arrived, temperatures have dropped, and the 2019 Club Championship has been completed…
YLP couple killed
A couple from Yosemite Lakes Park were killed Sunday night near Bass Lake after their Jeep was reportedly struck by a falling tree.
Meeting format change
Starting Tuesday, YLOA members will get their own forum time for questions during monthly board meetings….
Deck renewal
Check out the photo gallery of our refurbished clubhouse deck, front and back!
Town Hall on YLP Roads
View the video and the slide presentation from the Oct. 22 event that drew an audience of 60-70.
Community hike
A guided community hike has been scheduled by the Trails and Recreation Committee for Saturday, Nov. 16.
Found items
Call Security if you have left items from YLP Live events or are missing keys.
Albatross on Hole 1
An amazing feat was accomplished Oct. 1 at the YLP Golf Course.
Red-tailed hawk
Yosemite Lakes is prime redtail country, and they are year ‘round residents…
Rigatoni Dinner fun
View our photo gallery from the 2019 Ladies of the Lakes Rigatoni Dinner to benefit Madera County Fire Department Station 10!
Health & Safety Fair
You don’t want to miss this event Saturday — plus a LUNCH BUFFET!
About those helicopters
We have received many calls regarding the flyover of a helicopter in the YLP area.
Welcome, River Creek golfers!
Players from River Creek Golf Course in Ahwahnee are coming to join us on Sept. 18…
Jackson denied parole
Convicted YLP arsonist Kenneth Jackson has again been denied early parole.
Fire damages YLP house, car
YLP resident praises work by firefighters, help from neighbors to put out house fire Friday.
Encounter with a rattlesnake
Larry Mackey recalls his harrowing ordeal…and shares some advice for others.