November 2017 Update

Dear Member:

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year

November Weather

It's fog season once again.  We can start looking forward to days with minimal sun and chilling cold.  November, on the other hand, was very warm with high's three degrees higher than normal.  Lows were four degrees higher.  There was only one small storm delivering rain in November which accumulated to only .28".  For the season, we are now 1.33" behind normal.  It appears that last year's bountiful rain was just a brief respite from the drought.

Air in Lines and Low Water Pressure

We experienced low water pressure and air in the lines during November.  Depending on the location of your home, the severity varied, with some having no problems.  It was determined that the storage tank air relief valve was plugged.  This valve allows a certain amount of air to escape from the storage tank as it is filled from the well pump.  Air accumulated in the storage tank and was pushed out with the water as the tank emptied. The valve is now operating properly, but it may take several days for all the trapped air to be purged from the lines.  The air in the pipes may also dislodge rust and sediment.  Check to see if your faucet filters need cleaning.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 10% unless you received a new free Rachio Smart Controller from Fresno County.  It will make all the necessary adjustments for you.

Click here to view a short video.

There still may be time to apply for your free Rachio controller.  They expected the funding to be available to mid-December.  The flyer that explains the program can be found here.  Call Dahris Felden, Customer Coordinator, Valley Soil, Inc. at 951-775-5532 instead of using the website.  Do not delay, call today.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down from October to 42,000 gallons per household. It was 28% worse than the target and 19% worse than last year. Year to date, we are now 5% worse than the target and 2% worse than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.

October 2017 Update

Dear Member:

October Weather

October weather was as nice as can be in Fresno.  Both highs and lows were right at the average for the month, 80 high and 52 the average low.  Rainfall was .09", about 1/2" below normal.  Sunsets enhanced by the northern fires were beautiful. 
And, the best part about October, we have our golf course and greens back in operation.

Fresno County Rachio Smart WiFi Controller Program

Fresno County is offering a free program to reduce water use for county residents.  Sponsored by WE CAN — San Joaquin Valley, Water-Energy Community Action Network, this program is funded with conservation grant money and rebates and includes an evaluation of your irrigation system, up to two Rachio controllers to replace your sprinkler timers that are not WiFi driven and includes free installation. ALL FREE...

To schedule an installation, you will need to know how many sprinkler timers you have, how many stations or zones on each, where they are located on your property, and your address. Here is a video on how the controller works, click here. 
The flyer that explains the program can be found here. The program has limited funding and it's best to call Dahris Felden, Customer Coordinator, Valley Soil, Inc. at 951-775-5532 instead of using the website.  She can speed up the process  There is a wait list for people who want to install the controllers themselves but at this time, funding is available for the portion of the program which includes free installation. Do not delay, call today.

New Neighbors

We have new neighbors again with more children (future golfers). Mark and Lisa Fowler have purchased the home of Gay Linenbach-Cantwell. They are in the process of settling in with their four young children. Chris and Belina Breckenridge and their two young children have purchased the Montag home, but have yet to move in.  We welcome both new families to Belmont Country Club Estates.
With all the young children in the neighborhood, please watch out for all.  Please let your vendors and landscapers know to also keep an eye open for the little ones.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 20% unless you receive a new free Rachio Smart Controller.  It will make all the necessary adjustments for you.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down from September to 63,000 gallons per household. It was 23% worse than the target and 29% worse than last year. Year to date, we are now 4% worse than the target and even with last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Memberships

There are membership openings now at Belmont Country Club.  It's a shame to live on such a beautiful golf course and not take advantage of it.  
For those who find golf too time consuming, boring or just down right difficult, social memberships are also available at reasonable price.  There are many non-golfing activities scheduled each month.  You just missed bingo night.  The banquet room is also available to members for special functions.
Please contact Joe Millar, general manager, at 559.251.5078 or via email at Joe@bccemail.net.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club added Chicken Enchiladas in August as an option for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  
You are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.

September 2017 Update

Dear Member:

September Weather

September temperatures turned out to be near normal after starting out with very high temperatures.  Low temperatures continued a six month string of higher than normal lows of about 3 degrees.  We'll wait and see what this fall and winter bring us for precipitation. We received .16" of rain which brought the total for the year to 16.37."

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, Winter will be cooler than normal, with rainfall above normal in the north and near normal in the south. The coldest periods will occur from late November into early December and in early February. Mountain snows will be above normal, with the stormiest periods in early to mid-November and early and late January. April and May will be slightly drier than normal. Temperatures will be below normal near the coast and above normal inland.

Wanda Bingham Luncheon

The family of Mrs. Wanda Bingham would like to cordially invite you to a very special luncheon party at Belmont Country Club on Sunday, October 22nd, 2017 at 1:30 in the afternoon. Please bring a guest if you like!  There will be a full holiday vegetarian-friendly buffet, open bar, dessert, and a barbershop quartet will perform! 

Please RSVP to Wanda's grandson Randy Grace at by phone at 530-366-6685 or email: RGRACE92407@YAHOO.COM

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Keep your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 60% for next month until the weather begins to cool and then reduce to 40%.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down from August to 74,000 gallons per household. It was 7% worse than the target and 5% worse than last year. Year to date, we are now 2% worse than the target but 3% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club added Chicken Enchiladas in August as an option for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  

You are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.

August 2017 Update

Dear Member:

August Weather

Continuing in August where we left off in July, temperatures were two degrees warmer than the average high and five degrees warmer than the average low. According to weather historian, Chris Burt, at least 15 cities in the Western U.S. had their hottest summer on record in 2017 including Fresno where the average mean temperature was 85.3 beating the previous record of 83.5 set in 1981. 
Air quality throughout the month of August was also unhealthy caused by fires throughout central California.  Lets hope for a cooler fall.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Keep your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 100% for next month until the weather begins to cool and then reduce to 90%.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down from July to 88,000 gallons per household. It was 10% worse than the target but 5% better than last year. Year to date, we are now 1% worse than the target but 4% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

The well was depth was checked in August and the water depth only dropped 2 feet from February to 75 feet.  Last August the depth was measured at 78 feet.   Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club has added Chicken Enchiladas in August as an option for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  
You are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Proposed Changes to Peak Electricity Periods Affecting Belmont Water Corporation Members

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), along with the other major California utilities, is proposing changes to the time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing which makes electricity more expensive during anticipated periods of high demand when the electric grid is stressed and electricity is more expensive.

Currently, the highest-cost summer peak periods from May to October have been from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays with lower rates during weekends and holidays. With the onset of large solar facilities generating considerable amounts of electricity during the afternoon, utilities have proposed shifting TOU periods.
Under PG&E’s proposal, the peak use period would be pushed back to begin at 5 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. each day, both summer and winter. "Partial peak" rates would be charged between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and again between 10 p.m. and midnight during the summer. All remaining hours would be considered off-peak. The utility's summer rates would be charged from June through September.

The utilities are finalizing rate options and outreach plans before switching customers to TOU rates beginning in 2019. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and PG&E scheduled two public participation hearings on the proposal in mid-August. We will keep you posted on changes resulting from this proposal.

July 2017 Update

Dear Member:

July Weather

Some like it hot...

July was four degrees warmer than average for both the low and high temperatures. Again, the night time temperatures did not cool to give some relief in the morning from the blazing afternoon heat. May, June and July averaged three degrees warmer than normal lows.   

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 100% for the next two months.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was nearly 95,000 gallons per household. It was 16% worse than the target and 4% worse than last year. Year to date, we are 2% better than the target and 4% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club has added Chicken Enchiladas as an option for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  

Caspian Grill

It's not often we have a new eatery opening on this side of town and I'm excited when it's not a chain store. The Caspian Grill recently opened in the shopping center at Fowler and Kings Canyon, next door to Sunnyside Bicycles, 6061 E Kings Canyon Rd, Fresno, CA 93727.  The phone number is 559.369.6615.  The food is very good and portions are large.  They now have beer and wine on site. 

June 2017 Update

Dear Member:

Happy Independence Day

June Weather

June was warmer than normal, two degrees higher than the average high, but five degrees higher than the average low.  Because it didn't cool at night made the nine day run of 100 plus seem even hotter.  The warm weather increased the snow melt in the Sierra's.  Large releases from Pine Flat Dam into the Kings River caused a levee to break just north of Kingsburg.  Our neighbor golf course to the south, Kings River Country Club, was flooded and some homes were damaged. 

Neighbors

Nic Pope's church, Sequoia Church, is fundraising through a fireworks stand at Kings Canyon and Fowler through July 4th.  Stop by and pick up your Independence Day supplies.

Sean and Chayphet Marzolf have moved from the neighborhood, but their home stays in the family with Sean's brother, Dustin, moving in.  Welcome to the neighborhood, Dustin. 

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 100% for the next two months.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was 77,000 gallons per household. It was 1% worse than the target but 13% better than last year. Year to date, we are 8% better than the target and 7% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club has added back Baby Back Ribs as an option for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  

May 2017 Update

Dear Member:

May Weather

May was a pleasant month with some very different weather, only one day over 100, but three days under 70.  And, yes, there was a spot of rain. Total rain for the season was added to by .013" to a total of just over 16". 
Summer is here and will be official on June 20.  It's time to look for cooler things to do.

Consumer Confidence Report

The annual SWRCB 2016 Consumer Confidence Report has been completed and is available on the Belmont Water Corporation website.  It can be viewed by clicking here.  This annual report is provided to inform water users about the monitoring of the water quality of the Belmont Water Corporation system.

Neighbors

Wanda Bingham fell in her home a few weeks ago and has been undergoing treatment for a fractured hip.  Randy Grace, her grandson, is postponing her 92nd birthday party, originally scheduled for June 25, until she is recovered and can enjoy the much deserved attention.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 100% for the next three months.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was 61,000 gallons per household. It was 1% worse than the target and 8% worse than last year. Year to date, we are 13% better than the target and 2% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club again has a new option for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  

April 2017 Update

Dear Member:

April Weather

April is time for baseball and the beginning of NBA playoff games which seem to last longer than the regular season.

April showers were with us this year with 2" coming in one day of thunder storms.  It was quite lovely. Total rain for the season is 4 1/2" above normal at just over 16". Temperatures for April were right at normal for the month.  It will be interesting watching reservoir management as the huge snow pack begins to melt.  With most of the run off going to the Pacific Ocean rather than storage, we should be hearing more about plans for new dams, but we probably won't.

Neighbors

Our good friend and neighbor Del Walker is going through some health issues.  All of our best to you, Del and Susan.  Our thoughts will be with you during your time of treatment.

Nic and Katie Pope are having a Cinco de Mayo party from 4:00 to 7:00 on Sunday, May 8. All in the neighborhood are invited.

Randy Grace, Wanda Bingham's grandson, is hosting a 92nd birthday party for her on June 25 at Belmont Country Club from 1:00 to 3:00.  Once again, all in the neighborhood are invited.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 80%.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was 30,000 gallons per household. It was 4% worse than the target but 19% better than last year. Year to date, we are 22% better than the target and 10% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club again has more options for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.  The tri-tip and baby back ribs are excellent and the ribs can be ordered with sauce on the side.

March 2017 Update

Dear Member:

March Weather

March was quite lovely. With only 1.08" of rain, we were nearly an inch behind normal.  Total for the season is still nearly 3" above normal and there's lots of snow in the mountains. Temperatures were right at normal for the month.

Annual Membership Meeting

The Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting was the most successful in memory with many new neighbors attending.  Thank you all for joining us.  Board members elected at the meeting are:

• Mike Emigh
• Mike Gerosa
• Ryan Montag
• John Paige
• Nic Pope
• Stephanie Salkin

Wheel of Fortune

Our newest neighbor, Nic Pope became an instant television celebrity with a big win on the Wheel of Fortune. Congratulations, Nic.  Read more...

Pipeline Construction

While the main construction is far east of us now, there is still work being done on access points.  Use caution when driving both east and west on Belmont Avenue.

Thank you for your patience as this important project is completed. Please use extra caution when driving in the area. Safety is the City’s highest priority. Work is anticipated from Monday to Friday during daytime hours, but occasional work may take place on the weekends.
For more information, please click here.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 40% or 50%.

Cross Connection Survey

Thank you to the 36 members completing the survey.  

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was 24,400 gallons per household. It was 3% better than target but 40% worse than last year. Year to date, we are 34% better than the target and 2% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club is adding more options for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night take-out dinners.

Achieving California’s Water Objectives

Morning Ag Clips 

SACRAMENTO — Saying California is facing a defining moment in water policy, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and local water leaders are calling on the State Water Resources Control Board to embrace a more effective approach to flows and water quality objectives in the Bay-Delta watershed. Read more...

Welcome to Spring

According to the The Old Farmer's Almanac, spring will arrive in Fresno on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 3:29AM PDT. The vernal equinox, the date when the night and day are exactly the same length, marks the beginning of spring and arrives at the exact same time each year throughout the world.

The Old Farmer's Almanac forecast for this spring is as follows:

REGION 15: PACIFIC NORTHWEST

• The beginning of spring will bring cool, sunny days and mild rain.
• April and May will be slightly warmer and drier than normal.
• The end of spring will be sunny and warm, mixed with a few showers.

REGION 16: PACIFIC SOUTHWEST

• Spring will start with sunny, cool weather, with a few sprinkles in the north.
• April and May will be warmer and slightly rainier than normal.
• Spring will turn into summer with hot weather and lots of sun.

The Old Farmer's Almanac predictions for this past winter were reasonably close throughout most of the United States with the most significant exception being the heavy precipitation that fell across all of California.  Read more...

February 2017 Update

Dear Member:

February Weather

It was once again a great month for rain. The rain total of 2.5" was .5" above the average for the month and we're at the season total for the year with more rain months to come. February temperatures were again near normal.

Len Ross

Len Ross, long time neighbor and former Fresno Unified teacher and administrator known best for the opportunities and inspiration he provided young people as the director of the junior golf tournament that bears his name, passed away at the age of 96 on February 13, 2017. Len was a 1997 inductee into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Vel, and son, Randy.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/golf/article133241264.html#storylink=cpy

Annual Membership Meeting

The Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting will be held for all members at 6:00 PM on March 15, 2017 at Belmont Country Club, 8253 East Belmont Ave, Fresno, California 93737. Appetizers and a no-host bar will be provided with the meeting beginning immediately following. Please plan on attending this important neighborhood event. An agenda will be mailed prior to the meeting. If you have yet to RSVP, click here.

Pipeline Construction

We're now past the BCC entry way and traffic west is flowing better than it has the last few weeks. The crew should be past North Fancher Avenue some time the week of March 13.
Thank you for your patience as this important project is completed. Please use extra caution when driving in the area. Safety is the City’s highest priority. Work is anticipated from Monday to Friday during daytime hours, but occasional work may take place on the weekends.
For more information, please click here.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller 🔻OFF🔻through March unless it really warms up.

Cross Connection Survey

Members, if you have not completed our cross connection survey please do so as soon as possible.  This is a mandatory survey and water service can be discontinued if not completed by March 15, 2017.  To take the survey, click here.

Water Conservation

Thanks to more rain and and sprinkler controllers in the off position, water usage was the lower than last month and  since we began measuring usage at 7,400 gallons per household. It was 62% better than target and 44% better than last year. Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club is now offering Friday night take-out dinners to its members and Belmont Water Corporation members are also invited to partake. 

Pipeline Traffic

Dear Member:

I assume all of you have by now found Belmont Avenue east of De Wolf closed due to the pipeline construction. I met with the City and the project manager this afternoon. They agreed they have some signage issues and may not have every contingency covered.  
Basically, Belmont will be closed from De Wolf through next Thursday as the machines move eastward.  The plan is to cross the intersection of Belmont and Sanders Ct. approximately next Thursday.  This timing can change due to many factors including weather.

Until then, you are fine coming in on Belmont from the east.  Coming from the north, go east to Fancher and come into Belmont and turn west.  Coming from the west, proceed on HWY 180 to Highlands north and then take Belmont west.

After the crossing of the entry into Sanders C.t on Thursday approximately, we can use the normal routes from the north, west and south.

Please let me know of any issues and I will relay to the City and the construction company.

January 2017 Update

Dear Member:

January Weather

January was a great rain month, one of the best in many years.  Our local Mallard ducks had a great time in the rain filled pond behind the 7th green.  

The rain total of 4.5" was 2.3" above the average for the month and brought the total season to date to 9.1." January temperatures were near normal.

Welcome 

Nic and Katie Pope have purchased and moved into the Bigelow's home with their three children, Adelaide, Emmy, Michah.  Welcome to the neighborhood.  If you met Dave, you know you have big shoes to fill.

Annual Membership Meeting

The Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on March 15, 2017 at Belmont Country Club, 8253 East Belmont Ave, Fresno, California 93737.  Appetizers and a no-host bar will be provided with the meeting beginning immediately following.  Please plan on attending this important neighborhood event.  An agenda will be mailed prior to the meeting.

Pipeline Construction

Heavy construction is underway on the south side of Belmont Avenue for the large-diameter water pipeline. During February, work will progress east from Locan Avenue toward Fancher Avenue. Work is anticipated to be complete across the Belmont Country Club driveway during the last week of February.

Detours

Please use Highland Avenue or McCall Avenue until work is completed crossing the driveway, and once the work zone is east of the driveway, please use De Wolf Avenue. 

Access for residences and Belmont Country Club will be maintained throughout construction. Residents and business traffic will be able to travel through the “soft road closure” zone indicated in yellow below. However, please note that the “hard road closure” work zone, indicated in red, will be moving east, and will take up both lanes of the road. Please follow the posted detour routes to avoid the hard closure work zone. Work across the Belmont Country Club driveway will take place in two sections, so only half of the driveway will be closed at a time.

Thank you for your patience as this important project is completed. Please use extra caution when driving in the area. Safety is the City’s highest priority. Work is anticipated from Monday to Friday during daytime hours, but occasional work may take place on the weekends.

For more information, please click here.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Turn your sprinkler controller 🔻OFF🔻for January and February.

Water Conservation

Thanks to the rain and everyone finally during their sprinkler controllers to the off position, water usage was the lowest since we began measuring usage at 9,500 gallons per household. It was 47% better than target and 18% better than last year.  Click here for a larger view.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

Belmont Country Club is now offering Friday night take-out dinners to its members and Belmont Water Corporation members are also invited to partake.