CIVIC SERVICES

Police protection is provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s department in San Marcos. Numbers to call are: non-emergency — 758-6301

Call 911 in case of burglary, vandalism or other emergency

FIRE PROTECTION

The Deer Springs Fire Protection District was formed on December 15, 1981. The District covers approximately 44.5 square miles and is protected by two fire stations located at the intersection of I-15 and Deer Springs Road and at 8709 Circle R Drive. There are paid personnel and paid call personnel in the Department. All of the paid personnel are state certified at the E.M.T.-medical level. The stations are operated by the California Department of Forestry.

The District has automatic aid response agreements with the San Marcos Fire Department, Vista Fire Department Escondido Fire Department and the North County Fire Protection District (Fallbrook). The District also has mutual aid agreements with the remaining fire departments in San Diego County and the California Division of Forestry Fire Department. Through these agreements and the District’s personnel, first responder medical service, rescue, defibrillation, and vehicle extrication services are available.

When you request assistance in a time of emergency, try to have someone at your location to direct the emergency responders to the emergency site. Easily identifiable house numbers are important and they are required by County ordinances.

When requesting fire, medical or rescue emergency service:

DIAL: 911

GIVE: Your name and location of emergency

REQUEST: Dispatcher to notify Deer Springs Fire Protection District

Business calls: 749-8001 (8 a.m.. to 5 p.m..)

Postal delivery is provided by contract carriers working from the Orange Glen Branch Post Office. The rules for mail box location differ with the contract carriers, so be sure to check with the Post Office prior to installing any new mail box.

The Orange Glen Branch Post Office, 741-6098, is located at 1770 E. Valley Pkwy. Another nearby Post Office is at 420 Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, 744-1030. The Main Post Office is located at 1157 W. Mission, Escondido, 745-1912.

Residents in the area are on a rural route, so the local mail carrier can furnish services not required to be performed by city mail carriers. These services include buying stamps & money orders, posting mail and packages, etc. Many residents leave a deposit with their mail carrier agent which she/he can work against.

The Hidden Meadows area receives its water supply from the Valley Center Municipal Water District, 29300 Valley Center Road, Valley Center (Tel. 749-1600).

Homes located in the major subdivision area of Hidden Meadows are on a sewer system also run by the Valley Center Municipal Water District. Most homes located in adjacent areas use individual septic systems.

The majority of Hidden Meadows homes utilize electricity for heating and cooking purposes. Electricity is provided by the San Diego Gas and Electric Company, 455 So. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800-411-7343.

Natural gas is not available. Some homes use propane gas. Vendors listed in the Yellow Pages supply this fuel.

For information pertaining to education, it is suggested that you phone or visit: Escondido Union Elementary School District, 1330 E. Grand Ave., Escondido, 432-2400 and/or Escondido Union High School District, 302 N. Midway Dr., Escondido, 480-3000. Some homes are in the Valley Center Union School District (K-8), 28751 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, 749-0464. Valley Center also has a new High School. Inter-district transfers are also available on a case-by-case basis to Fallbrook and San Marcos schools.

Excellent adult education is available through the Escondido High School system, Palomar College, Mira Costa College and National University. Cultural attractions are available at these schools and at California State University, San Marcos.

The San Diego County Library brings its Bookmobile to the Meadow Lake Country Club lower parking lot on alternate Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m.. until noon. On the same day, the Bookmobile is at Welk Village from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free library cards are available on the Bookmobile. Books, cassettes, and magazines may be checked out for 28 days, with no renewals.

The locations of Hidden Meadows Polling Places are announced in the voter information booklet mailed to each registered voter before each election. New residents may register to vote by contacting Registrar of Voters at 5201 Ruffin Road, San Diego (P.O. Box 85520), phone 570-1061.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Meadow Lake Golf Course is located at 10333 Meadow Glen Way East and offers an excellent 18-hole championship golf course. The main club house features a cocktail lounge, the upstairs Fireside Room, and the Pro Shop, headed by a registered PGA member. Details on membership can be obtained at the Club office. The club has been purchased  by Cresta Verde Corporation.

The Men’s Club is associated with the Southern California Golf Association and operates under rules established by that body. Each Wednesday is designated as Men’s Day and golf tournaments are held twice monthly. The Bogey Men, a group of 9-holers, play Friday mornings. Other Men’s Club events are the Club Championship, the President’s Cup Matches and Member-Guest Days. Membership in the Meadow Lake Country Club is mandatory for individuals wishing to join the Men’s Club.

The Meadow Lake Country Club Women’s Golf Association is a member of the San Diego County Women’s Golf Association, and Santa Margarita Women’s Golf Association. Handicaps are computed by the Integrated Data Corporation. There are two groups of golfers: the 18-holers who play regularly on Thursday morning, and the 9-hole group which plays on Tuesday morning. Membership in the Meadow Lake Country Club is mandatory for women wishing to join the Women’s Association.

ARO sponsors three holiday couples golf tournaments each year (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day) at MLCC. All Hidden Meadows residents with golf handicaps are invited.

The Community Sponsor Group for the Hidden Meadows area meets monthly in the Pavilion. They are appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and provide a communications link with the San Diego County Planning and Land Use Department. They review and make recommendations on all types of land use, building matters, and other planning issues that impact our community life. Their area of interest is bounded on the south by the city of Escondido, on the west by I-15, on the north by Castle Creek, and on the west by Valley Center.

In 1973, the people living in the Hidden Meadows area organized themselves for social, civic and lobbying purposes. For want of a catchier name they called themselves the "Association of Resident Owners of the Hidden Meadows Area", which came to be abbreviated as "ARO" and pronounced "Arrow."

True to its name, the group has been "straight-arrow" ever since and done a good job of helping people meet their neighbors and enjoy the charms of life in The Meadows. Each year ARO organizes a number of social activities for members, bus trips, picnics, dances, and excursions to plays, concerts and sporting events. Additionally, ARO has aided in the organization of other worthy community groups, such as the Newcomers, the Arts and Crafts Fair, Golf Tournaments, Computer Club, Garden Club, Meadows Moms, Friendly Duplicate Bridge, etc.

Through its MeadowLark newspaper and the ARO column in The Roadrunner newspaper, ARO has promoted the activities of these independent Hidden Meadow groups and also the bridge marathon, aerobic classes, handicraft classes, dance groups, bridge classes, computer classes and the Invisible University, to name just a few.

ARO has been active in beautifying The Meadows through Christmas decorating awards, and planting of key corners for improved appearance. ARO urges homeowners to keep their property neat and clean.

ARO encompasses a broad geographical area called the "country town of Hidden Meadows." As such, ARO provides a central organized voice for property owners in relations with state, county and city governments and other private or quasi-public agencies. The ARO area definition is: "If you drive home on Mountain Meadow Road you live in Hidden Meadows." Rimrock is also included. The geographical boundaries for Hidden Meadows and ARO are:

* To the North, up to but not including Moosa Canyon,

* To the East, up to but not including Turner Lake and Valley Center,

* To the South, up to but not including Jesmond Dene & North Broadway

* To the West, up to Champagne Blvd. and including Rimrock, but not including Welk Village and Champagne Village.

ARO annual membership dues are $15.00 per family. They are payable to ARO and may be given to the Membership Chairman or any member of the Board of Directors. It is hoped that all residents of the area will want to be members of ARO and will join in its activities.

Membership in the Meadows Homes Association is mandatory for those people who reside in the major subdivision known as Hidden Meadows. Purchase of a lot or a home automatically makes one a member.

The primary function of this organization is to enforce the building codes and the CC&R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) established by the organization; to review and approve final building, grading and landscaping plans for new homes and remodeling by its Environmental Review Board; and to be responsible for maintenance of private streets and "open areas" in Hidden Meadows.

Hidden Meadows Neighborhood Watch is an effort to help secure each community members safety and property, and is chaired by Frank Herbert at 749-6577. There are Block Captains for all areas of The Meadows. To learn the name of your Block Captain or to volunteer to assist in this important work, call the Neighborhood Watch chair. Although Hidden Meadows is a very low-crime-rate area, from time to time meetings are held to hear from the Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Specialists.

In 1997, the Meadows Homes Association purchased the Pavilion building ,an Olympic size pool, two tennis courts -- all on a 5 acre parcel. Residents who live in the Covenant support this facility through their $196 a year Homeowner's Fee, and residents who live outside the Covenant but in Hidden Meadows may belong for a fee of $200 a year.

The Hidden Meadows Newcomers Club meets regularly and has about a dozen special interest groups, such as dine-out, social, bridge, pinochle, walking, crafts, and ballroom dancing. Residents can join the Newcomers if they have lived in Hidden Meadows for fewer than five years and they may continue to be members for five years after joining. Annual dues are $10 per couple, $5 single, which covers all interest groups. Newcomers has no current president..

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The Roadrunner is a local weekly newspaper. Our first newspaper, known as The Messenger, was founded in 1989 by a local resident. When it was sold it kept its name, but was later combined with the Valley Center Roadrunner and enjoys a circulation all along the I-15 corridor including Hidden Meadows, Bonsall and Fallbrook. Most local events are publicized in the Roadrunner. Local subscribers ($18 per year) receive the paper by mail weekly. The calendar of events column lists times, dates and places of meetings.

The Roadrunner is happy to publish local news, club news, weddings, births, etc. The phone number for news items and subscriptions is 749-1112.

The MeadowLark is published "almost" month by the Association of Resident Owners (ARO) and is delivered to all residents as a public service. It contains news of The Meadows area as well as announcements of coming activities for all organizations. If you have not received a copy of the MeadowLark, please contact any member of the Board of Directors.

ARO publishes a Roster of its membership, including address and phone numbers. Members find this a very convenient way of locating their neighbors and friends in The Meadows.

In the ARO roster are ads which pay the cost of the printing. There are also calling cards of services and tradespeople. The only cards accepted for the Roster are those whose services have been recommended by an ARO member. Naturally ARO cannot endorse any of its advertisers or calling card holders, but we are grateful for their financial support.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Monthly bridge for women is held at the Meadow Lake Country Club on the second Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m.. Interested women may contact: Virginia Mc Kenna 749-7809

A couples bridge marathon is held during the winter months. For further information, please contact Morrie and Ruthe Nickle at 749-1925.

Bridge Lessons are given periodically by a resident Master Bridge Teacher-Member of the American Bridge Teacher’s Association, Cliff Krueger, 749-3999.

The ARO Friendly Duplicate meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Meadows Community Center. Chairperson is George Schoeffel at 749-2128.

Newcomers sponsors several monthly social events, organized around activities at homes on a rotating basis. Each group is limited to about 15 couples so that each home can easily accommodate the guests. This is a great way to meet people, and it requires that you drive many of the streets in the area to get to the homes. Each group has a different "theme", for example one is a pot-luck and hors d’oeuvres group.

The Hidden Meadows Computer Club meets regularly to exchange ideas and tips. For information call Malcolm Howard at 749-3685. The meeting is held the third Monday of the Month at the Meadows Community Center at 7 p.m.

The ARO Fashion Show in the Spring presents a delightful entertainment. Contact: Dorothy Aelshire at 749-5694.

Women interested in joining the Sew and So Club, a social group which meets on the first Tuesday of each month in a member’s home, may call the chair, Pepi’ Lauerman, 749-1500, to find the hostess to contact.

The Invisible University in Hidden Meadows is one of eleven such groups in San Diego County. It meets about four times a year and presents a learned talk of general interest by a faculty member from University of San Diego. Meetings are held at the Meadows Community Center or in homes, and are free and open to all. There is no homework, but outline material is given out at each lecture. Contact Ora Lea Pierce at 749-1739.

The Meadows Moms, a family organization for parents, presents activities for the whole family, such as family speakers, family outings and cooperatives for parents. There is a Play Group, a Sitters Co-op and "Mom’s Night Out." The person to contact is Sandra Scott at 749-6576.

Everyone in the community who is interested in gardening is invited to participate in the Meadows Garden Club, sharing ideas, learning more about plants and even swapping plants, bulbs, cuttings and seeds. Chairman is Pat Wagner at 749-0365 The Garden Club maintains a library for checkout..

Parents meet at the Meadows Community Center the second Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Planned activities include golf, swimming, hiking, karate, fashions and mother/daughter luncheon. Contact chairperson JoAnn Dunn at 749-9491.

* Meadow Lake Country Club is the Golf Course, owned by the Cresta Verde Corporation. The Tennis Club and Swim Club, now owned the Meadows Homes Association, and all families who live in the Covenant are automatic members. Residents who live outside the Covenant may join if they wish.

* The 550 homes around the Golf Course range from 25-years-old to brand new, and they feature full services: water, sewer, electricity and cable. They are on lots of approximately a quarter of an acre.

* In addition there are over 600 homes on acreage sites to the north, east and west of the Golf Course, and these have individual septic systems, grand views, plus space for agriculture: avocado, macadamia, florist flowers, citrus, etc.,

* Shopping: Just 12 minutes to El Norte Parkway in the City of Escondido are 2 Vons stores, 6 cinemas, other services and stores. There’s a pleasant frontage road for those who prefer to avoid the freeway. It’s 20 minutes to North County Fair, a major regional shopping plaza. The Meadows Deli convenience store is located next to the Hidden Meadows Realty building which also has other services upstairs including the Meadows Beauty and Facial Salon. A few more shops (at some time in the future) may be built at the corner. But there will never be much commercial activity in The Meadows.

* Pleasant year-round climate at 1,500 -1,800 foot elevation with ocean breezes most days, means clear atmosphere, usually above the fog, and cheerful sunlight from sunup which makes for great solar-powered hot water heating.

* Good schools: These include Valley Center grade school district (K-8) , or Escondido North Broadway Elementary School (K-5) and Rincon Middle School (6-8), and Escondido High School. Calvin Christian School is nearby. There is bus service to VC School and Escondido HS.

* Medical services abound: walk-in clinics and doctor’s offices are in Escondido, Palomar Hospital in Escondido, plus many dental offices. Emergency service is by our Fire District.

* Just 50 minutes to San Diego airport (20 minutes to Palomar Airport) and downtown events such as symphony, theater, opera, Old Globe, Padres and Chargers, the zoo and Sea World. The Wild Animal Park is only 25 minutes away. And nearby are Dixon Lake, many parks and other lakes, the Cleveland National Forest, and the California Center for the Arts at Escondido.

* Safe, quiet living. This cul-de-sac community has no roads out to the north, and only gravel roads to the east and southeast. It has a very low crime rate. There’s little through traffic and, in fact, very little traffic at all. It’s country living with birds, rabbits, coyotes and other wild life, starry nights, mountain sunrises, thrilling sunsets.

* Property values and quality construction of homes. Proximity to prestigious Rimrock promotes high standards in the area. And, in the major subdivision, an active Homeowners’ Association makes for uniformity and quality.

* Pastoral way of life, not a city and not a part of Escondido City, but governed by San Diego County. Water is from the Valley Center Municipal Water District. Propane is available from various private suppliers. Cable TV is available. Hidden Meadows has until just lately been well "hidden". The San Diego Union Tribune indicated that it has been "found," but only by a select few.