Desert Breezes News – Desert Breezes News

Scams in Desert Breezes

This is an FYI post about a scam attempt within the Desert Breezes Community. As far as we know, no one was taken in by this, but it’s always good to be aware.

This is an FYI post about a scam attempt within the Desert Breezes Community. As far as we know, no one was taken in by this, but it’s always good to be aware.

Recently, a long time Desert Breezes resident had their email hacked in some way. Maybe someone actually got into their account, or maybe they simply had their contacts and faked their email address.

The result was that I, and a few others, received this email:

Upon replying that I did see this email, I recieved this:

After 20 years of corporate training on scams and phishing, three main scam signals jumped out at me:

This did not sound like the person, and I do not know them well enough to think they would come to me for something like this.
Urgency – this has to happen now!
Gift Card – scammers love gift cards as they are untraceble.

I was sure it was a scam, but one more test from my side:

A scammer will always have a reason why they can’t meet in person, or call on the phone. Here it is:

Note the mistake in leaving Message space write: in the email. That is the point where I called my friend. I was not the first to call, and they sent out a warning to all their contacts.

I’m posting this to help everyone be informed on common scam tactics and how to spot them. When in doubt while dealing with an email or message from a “friend,” do nothing until you’ve actually contacted that person by phone or in person.

Election 2026 in Focus

The Desert Breezes Casas Board works best when qualified homeowners take the time to get involved. Some will attend meetings and keep track of issues, some will join Committees, and some will make the commitment to run and serve on the Board.

Last year, we asked homeowners to vote for two of the most qualified candidates to come along in years: Valerie Liautaud-Watkins, a professional in home construction and remodeling; and Janet McKnight, a retired Accountant with 30 years of professional experience, and 10 years experience as an HOA Treasurer.

This Year’s Candidate – Tom McClay

We are pleased to announce that another highly qualified candidate has stepped forward this year. Tom McClay has spent 37 years in Senior Management roles with the US Navy, both enlisted and as a civil servant. Early on, he earned a Master’s Degree in Information Technology Management/Program Management.

Tom & Ann McClay, Ari Gaskin, and Stephen McClay in Seoul, South Korea

Tom was formerly a member of the Community Watch of the Villages in Florida, working to keep his community safe. Last July, as a member of the Finance Committee, he started a water monitoring system in Desert Breezes, identifying leaks and wasteful practices. This program has saved us thousands.

Why Does It Matter?

Yes, there are three candidates for three positions. Why bother to vote? The answer is: this is your chance to show your support for highly qualified candidates running for the Board. We’d all like to see more of them, and we need to encourage them to participate. Because Tom ran and was supported, it is our hope that more talented and highly qualified Homeowners will do the same.

What Can I Do?

First, attend the “Meet The Candidates” event on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 2 PM at the Clubhouse. Zoom link is here. Listen to what they have to say. If you agree that Tom McClay is the kind of candidate we need, then give him all three of your votes when filling out your ballot.

Book Club – Spring Update

On March 3, readers met for the monthly Book Club meeting. Linda Demetrick lead our discussion of the book we had read, “Buckeye”, by Patrick Ryan, Amazon’s book of 2025. We all enjoyed the book as it dealt with the themes of long-term secrets, war era trauma, the impact of physical disability on personal identity, and complex generational relationships. The novel was set in small town Ohio, the buckeye state.

Linda raised questions about duty, forgiveness, and consequences of moral choices. Everyone joined in the discussion. We rated the book a 9 out of ten, a high rating for this group.

The next meeting of the Book Club will be held Monday, March 16th and the book we will be reading for the meeting is “The Correspondent”, by Virginia Evans. Barbara Crawford and Janice deWolf will lead the discussion.

For more information about the Book Club, contact Sherry Carnevale at sherrycarnevale@gmail.com.

Board Elections 2026

Highlights

An HOA Board of Directors runs best when qualified homeowners take the time to get involved. Some will attend meetings and keep track of issues, some will join Committees, and some will make the commitment to run and serve on the Board.

If you wish to Self-Nominate for the 2026 Board Elections, please complete the attached candidate statement form and follow the instructions of completing and returning the form to The Inspectors of Election.

Via Email: info@theinspectorsofelection.com (PREFERRED METHOD)
Via Mail: 2794 Loker Ave W, Suite 104, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Deadline: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Candidate Statement Form Here

The Candidates We Need

The ideal candidate would have professional and life experience that translates into the tasks of running an HOA. They will have a desire to apply that experience for the good of the Community.

Last year, the Editorial Board of Desert Breezes News supported two candidates that epitomize these qualities: Valerie Liautaud-Watkins, a professional in home construction and remodeling; and Janet McKnight, a retired Accountant with 30 years of professional experience, and 10 years experience as an HOA Treasurer.

Nominations For 2026

If you fit all the qualifications and expectations for serving, and you were considering running, you may have been surprised to be told that Nominations were closed with two names. It’s possible that you did not get a mailing or email notice when Nominations were opened.

Apparently, old mailing lists were used, email lists were not updated, and the Election Committee was not in place….but…a solution has been found.

Self Nominations are Now Open

Candidate Statement Form Here

The Board of Directors has decided to extend the nomination period for this year’s election to allow all eligible members the opportunity to run for a position on the Board. If you are interested in serving Desert Breezes Casas Homeowners Association and filling an open spot on the Board of Directors, please complete the attached candidate statement form and follow the instructions of completing and returning the form to The Inspectors of Election. If you would like an electronic version (Word or PDF) of the candidate form, please contact The Inspectors of Election at info@theinspectorsofelection.com.

Via Email: info@theinspectorsofelection.com (PREFERRED METHOD)
Via Mail: 2794 Loker Ave W, Suite 104, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Deadline: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Alternatively, you may submit a single-sided 8 ½” x 11” statement of your own. Please make sure to include your name on the statement and it must be signed and dated to be considered valid.

All Candidate Statements will be limited to a single-sided 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper for distribution to the membership and must be signed and dated.

Signed and dated candidate statements must be received by The Inspectors of Election by February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM for your name to be placed on the ballot and your statement included in the Election of Directors mailing to the association membership. All members that intend to run for a position on the Board must complete this process by the deadline listed above including incumbent directors whose terms are expiring in this election. It is the responsibility of the candidate to confirm with The Inspectors of Election that their candidate statement has been received by the deadline. Members that have already submitted a candidate statement for the 2026 Election of Directors will not be required to do so again unless they would like to update their message to the membership.

Tennis In Desert Breezes

If you are a beginning to intermediate tennis player, you know how hard it is to find a spot to play. For Desert Breezes Residents, you have a ready made place to join in, learn, and improve.

2025 In Memoriam

2025 has been a peaceful year in Desert Breezes. We’ve had many new residents coming in as other homeowners sell and move on. We’ve had many social activities with clubs and groups that have continued to offer opportunities to residents for exercise and fellowship.

This year we lost a few longtime residents who left a legacy of friendship and caring behind. As we finish the year, we hope you will all give a thought or prayer for these residents and their families.

Welcome Back – October 2025

The Summer has seemed too long and too hot! All of us full-timers have been waiting patiently for everyone to return, and now, finally, October!

With the coming of Fall, we will renew our Desert Breezes News emails. We all enjoyed the old newsletter, but it is no more. Hopefully we can continue to fill in with periodic emails to keep people up to date and involved.

Daiso Comes to Coachella Valley

One of the many things things people miss when coming to Palm Desert from Los Angeles is the International diversity of shops, stores and restaurants. In my case, it was all things Japanese. We had ten different Ramen shops to choose from. We could choose Mitsuwa or Nijiya for groceries.

Summer at The Living Desert

There aren’t a lot of activities over the Summer in the Coachella Valley, but for those who stay over, there are a few things that get even better.

The Living Desert, in Palm Desert, has always been the best bargain in the Valley for those that enjoy a morning hike in a desert landscape. Membership is fairly inexpensive starting at $119 per year for individuals and $289 per year for a family of four. That family price equals the amount you would pay for two visits.

Join A Committee Now

Make Desert Breezes Committees Great Again!

One of the great things about an HOA is the Committee system. While each Board Member may not be an expert in Landscaping or Finance, they have the ability to seek out that expertise in their Committee Volunteers.

Board Members who take on a Committee are taking on a lot of work, and the Committee can help keep things manageable.

Sadly, this system has fallen by the wayside over the last year. A quick glance at the Committee Minutes section on Townsq shows that the last updated minutes from a Committee were in January of 2024. I know that some homeowners have been doing work in Committees over the last year, but the system seems broken.