Mommy, there's a rat swimming in the IAC swimming pool!

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[quote author="GoIllini" date=1220222351][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220221727][quote author="GoIllini" date=1220221266][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220192724]It's not necessarily the rat by itself that is the concern. It's the continuing degradation of the pool area since Memorial Day - the rat was just the icing on the cake. There is one other pool in this development and that one has been gross for the whole time we have lived here. There is a family of ducks that call it home. They swim (and poop) in it all the time. It's as though no one cares.</blockquote>


Once migratory birds establish a nest, even on private property, it is illegal to remove it, or to harass the birds. Even the bird's feathers are protected! So IAC is constrained from taking measures to remove the birds.</blockquote>


I thought that only applied to certain species, like sparrows. Besides, this family of ducks is not migratory; they are settled in!</blockquote>
Of course they're settled in... Some of your neighbors (non-swimmers) are probably thrilled to see the little duckies and are feeding them. But yes, they are covered by the protection.</blockquote>


Dunno about the food - but if I was a duck, and I could have a coyote fenced pond just for me - that's where I'd put my nest.

We had duck problems at our IAC pool also, manager said ducks are protected, the have to put up with the ducks digging a big nest in the garden & tolerating it. However, when the manager switched pool companies, pool got much cleaner. Perhaps if you ask about that, manager can look into getting a better, more accountable pool company that really keeps the pool up much better.
 
[quote author="Anonymous" date=1220228835][quote author="GoIllini" date=1220222351][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220221727][quote author="GoIllini" date=1220221266][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220192724]It's not necessarily the rat by itself that is the concern. It's the continuing degradation of the pool area since Memorial Day - the rat was just the icing on the cake. There is one other pool in this development and that one has been gross for the whole time we have lived here. There is a family of ducks that call it home. They swim (and poop) in it all the time. It's as though no one cares.</blockquote>


Once migratory birds establish a nest, even on private property, it is illegal to remove it, or to harass the birds. Even the bird's feathers are protected! So IAC is constrained from taking measures to remove the birds.</blockquote>


I thought that only applied to certain species, like sparrows. Besides, this family of ducks is not migratory; they are settled in!</blockquote>
Of course they're settled in... Some of your neighbors (non-swimmers) are probably thrilled to see the little duckies and are feeding them. But yes, they are covered by the protection.</blockquote>


Dunno about the food - but if I was a duck, and I could have a coyote fenced pond just for me - that's where I'd put my nest.

We had duck problems at our IAC pool also, manager said ducks are protected, the have to put up with the ducks digging a big nest in the garden & tolerating it. However, when the manager switched pool companies, pool got much cleaner. Perhaps if you ask about that, manager can look into getting a better, more accountable pool company that really keeps the pool up much better.</blockquote>
Now that I think about it, I think the officially protected nesting season is over... as of August 15. Probably best to check with Fish & Game, but it's an avenue to pursue... Don't quote me on this, but I think it's OK to shoo the birds away unless they are in the official nesting period.



Now RATS, as in the original post would be fair game anytime. Feed them to the coyotes.
 
[quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220221899][quote author="Ambiepants" date=1220148389][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220103496] I would move immediately if I could, but I don't want to risk my son getting kicked out of his kindergarten class at Plaza Vista....</blockquote>


ISM: Check out IUSD's page regarding <a href="http://www.iusd.k12.ca.us/enrollment/OpenEnrollmentPolicy.html">open enrollment policy.</a>



It would seem as though your son could not be kicked out of Plaza Vista if you moved because he is already enrolled and even with a transfer student they would only review their case once a year. Plus if you moved after Feb. 1 that would additionally guarantee he wouldn't be going anywhere since they don't transfers after that date. I hope the link helps. I am sure you could run it by the office and see what they say but I would imagine he would not be booted. (I also have a Kindergartener in this district.)</blockquote>


Hmmm, I don't interpret this the same way as you do. I see nothing in here that specifically addresses what happens to a student who moves within Irvine to another village. I asked my son's teacher, hypothetically, what would happen and she warned me not to move until June or he'll get booted out. Maybe I'll call the office, see what they say. IR2, would you happen to know?



I have been checking out the Woodbury houses that are for rent and am getting hot under the collar to move (kind of like Trooper lusting after her Palm Springs bungalow :)</blockquote>


ISM:

Read this part -

Returning to a Neighborhood School or <strong>Changing Schools After A School Year Has Begun</strong>

Students who elect to begin a given academic year at a school other than their neighborhood school may be refused enrollment at their neighborhood school for the balance of the same academic year due to restricted space availability. Students may transfer back to their neighborhood school, or to the school of geographic proximity inside their super attendance area, during the school year, except that no elementary student will be transferred after February 1. Exception: Students who have started a school year at a year-round school shall not be accepted for transfer by a traditional calendar school during that same school year.



Also keep in mind you're talking about moving from Plaza Vista area to Woodbury. Hypothetically Woodbury would be the school in your attendance area but some of the grades are at capacity and those students would then transfer to Westwood Basics Plus which is a traditional school year (and it says you can't go from a year-round i.e. Plaza Vista to a traditional i.e. WBP.) If anything it seems they would insist he stay at Plaza Vista for several reasons... 1) There may not be room at your school of residency 2) The date of your move being too far into the school year i.e. after Feb.1 and 3) possibly going from a year-round school to a traditional school.



It's nice to get the teacher's input but it doesn't jive with what the district put on the website --- maybe you could print it out and meet with an administrator or office staff member to verify how it works. Hope this helps.
 
Oh and I'm sorry to read about the rat in the pool. They are disease-ridden little things and not nearly as cute as that mouse in the little floatie. :) I'm in an IAC apartment too -- Portola Place in Portola Springs. We get a ton of creepy-crawlies but so far nothing bigger than a bread box and nothing in the pool. Crossing my fingers. I hope the leasing office will send out a pool boy to do a clean sweep for you to at least show they are making an effort.
 
[quote author="Ambiepants" date=1220244127]Oh and I'm sorry to read about the rat in the pool. They are disease-ridden little things and not nearly as cute as that mouse in the little floatie. :) I'm in an IAC apartment too -- Portola Place in Portola Springs. We get a ton of creepy-crawlies but so far nothing bigger than a bread box and nothing in the pool. Crossing my fingers. I hope the leasing office will send out a pool boy to do a clean sweep for you to at least show they are making an effort.</blockquote>


So is it a dead zone out there in the boonies? I guess the apartments filled up, so there are lights on at night, but what about the surrounding houses and condos? What's it like? Portola Springs is even closer to my job than Woodbury is and I really would consider moving there as well, if they would get that darn village built out already! (e.g. the shopping center, village clubhouse, etc.).
 
To me, ducks are 'way more disgusting than rats. There is nothing

like the pooping ducks do.



Luckily alligators eat them here. Maybe you should temporarily import

a coyote. Nature, you know.
 
[quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220255365][quote author="Ambiepants" date=1220244127]Oh and I'm sorry to read about the rat in the pool. They are disease-ridden little things and not nearly as cute as that mouse in the little floatie. :) I'm in an IAC apartment too -- Portola Place in Portola Springs. We get a ton of creepy-crawlies but so far nothing bigger than a bread box and nothing in the pool. Crossing my fingers. I hope the leasing office will send out a pool boy to do a clean sweep for you to at least show they are making an effort.</blockquote>


So is it a dead zone out there in the boonies? I guess the apartments filled up, so there are lights on at night, but what about the surrounding houses and condos? What's it like? Portola Springs is even closer to my job than Woodbury is and I really would consider moving there as well, if they would get that darn village built out already! (e.g. the shopping center, village clubhouse, etc.).</blockquote>


Overall I actually really like it here. We compared our options and thought about Woodbury too. For some reason everyone thinks we have nowhere to shop out here LOL. It's just a hop-skip-and-jump to the Woodbury shopping center on the corner of Irvine Blvd & Sand Cyn. I think it takes me all of 3 minutes to get there. That is where I do my grocery shopping, etc. I find it really peaceful out here. Our apartment faces the hills in the direction of the toll road so when we look out we have nothing but beautiful unobstructed views. It is gorgeous! And believe me I'm not one who typically enjoys being out in "the middle of nowhere". I like my to have my options close-by but I feel like everything here is close-by just not "in your face" if you kwim. It's nice being close enough to the action without having to be in the thick of it. When we visited Woodbury I really loved the amenities and it's a nice community but just felt so claustrophobic and busy, busy there. There is a lot to enjoy in P.S. as well. The complex itself has a pool, spa, cabanas, showers, clubhouse, bbq's, etc, yadda, yadda... but then right outside of the complex are basketball courts, tennis courts, another huge pool, tot lots (there is Discovery Park near the new homes on Long Grass and two more little parks off of Cienega.) It looks like some of the surrounding homes /townhomes may be unoccupied. (Actually, I'm sure some are as I see them on the MLS everyday!) Yet we do still run into some people at the park, the pool, and when we go for walks. The street out here on Portola Parkway can get noisy at times but the apartments seem insulated well. No freeway noise to contend with. No major busy intersection with stop & go traffic. You can see bits and pieces of the toll road as the cars peek-a-boo through the hills in the distance but can't hear it. Everyday when I wake up and look out the window at the views I feel lucky. (I'm sure it will look better though when some rain comes and the hills are green and not brown as they are currently.) I hope this helps. Let me know if there's anything else you want to know about P.S. and I'll be happy to help. (No, I don't WORK for them - I'm sure somebody is going to ask me that LOL)
 
[quote author="lawyerliz" date=1220333133]To me, ducks are 'way more disgusting than rats. There is nothing

like the pooping ducks do.



Luckily alligators eat them here. Maybe you should temporarily import

a coyote. Nature, you know.</blockquote>


Ditto the messy duck sentiment although rats are pretty bad too in a different way. My office in Golden, CO was surrounded by man-made lakes, full of ducks. The mess they make on the sidewalks, driveways, outdoor furniture, and the lawns were sometimes unbelievable. No coyotes allowed in Golden, they are trapped and relocated.
 
ISM,



I think you need to print out the Mr. Yuk avatar and post it at every entrance to the pool! Think of it as performing a public service :)
 
[quote author="GoIllini" date=1220242714][quote author="Anonymous" date=1220228835][quote author="GoIllini" date=1220222351][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220221727][quote author="GoIllini" date=1220221266][quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1220192724]It's not necessarily the rat by itself that is the concern. It's the continuing degradation of the pool area since Memorial Day - the rat was just the icing on the cake. There is one other pool in this development and that one has been gross for the whole time we have lived here. There is a family of ducks that call it home. They swim (and poop) in it all the time. It's as though no one cares.</blockquote>


Once migratory birds establish a nest, even on private property, it is illegal to remove it, or to harass the birds. Even the bird's feathers are protected! So IAC is constrained from taking measures to remove the birds.</blockquote>


I thought that only applied to certain species, like sparrows. Besides, this family of ducks is not migratory; they are settled in!</blockquote>
Of course they're settled in... Some of your neighbors (non-swimmers) are probably thrilled to see the little duckies and are feeding them. But yes, they are covered by the protection.</blockquote>


Dunno about the food - but if I was a duck, and I could have a coyote fenced pond just for me - that's where I'd put my nest.

We had duck problems at our IAC pool also, manager said ducks are protected, the have to put up with the ducks digging a big nest in the garden & tolerating it. However, when the manager switched pool companies, pool got much cleaner. Perhaps if you ask about that, manager can look into getting a better, more accountable pool company that really keeps the pool up much better.</blockquote>
Now that I think about it, I think the officially protected nesting season is over... as of August 15. Probably best to check with Fish & Game, but it's an avenue to pursue... Don't quote me on this, but I think it's OK to shoo the birds away unless they are in the official nesting period.



Now RATS, as in the original post would be fair game anytime. Feed them to the coyotes.</blockquote>


For a duck problem, could you import a couple of protected coyotes?
 
Three words.



Shoot. Shovel. Shutup.



The only good coyote is a dead coyote. Ducks don't eat my pets, and fall into the 'useful' cycle of my food chain.
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1220396293]Three words.



Shoot. Shovel. Shutup.



The only good coyote is a dead coyote. Ducks don't eat my pets, and fall into the 'useful' cycle of my food chain.</blockquote>
I can't even imagine a coyote eating one of my pets.

They are like our children, and I would risk my own life to save one of my pets.
 
ISM- Don't tell anyone you've moved.



Everything comes home in their backpack anyways or can be found on the school website. Just make sure you don't tell any of the other parents either. Plaza Vista is very desirable-- and some parents look for ways to "help" their friends get in.
 
[quote author="CalGal" date=1220396424][quote author="no_vaseline" date=1220396293]Three words.



Shoot. Shovel. Shutup.



The only good coyote is a dead coyote. Ducks don't eat my pets, and fall into the 'useful' cycle of my food chain.</blockquote>
I can't even imagine a coyote eating one of my pets.

They are like our children, and I would risk my own life to save one of my pets.</blockquote>


Yes, when we lived in New Mexico/Texas/Arizona, those nasty coyotes would pretty much kill anything that crossed their path (small enough). I can vividly remember cleaning up all the carcasses they littered everywhere. When started using low belocity wood pellets in shot guns. They would not like it, but they would not be killed and eventually come back. After that we started with the high power rifles at VERY long standoff ranges. While not exactly humane, they were very destructive animals.



good luck

-bix
 
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