New Andover Glen Policies and Procedures nearly ready…

By Randy Simpson

For nearly 4 months now your Andover Glen Board has been working on a new set of Policies and Procedures to accomplish three primary goals:  to adhere to new Colorado State statutes related to the operation of homeowners associations, to make the month to month operations of the association more efficient, and to create a set of rules that will allow for the fair and consistent application of our covenants.  At the end of December the AG Board completed its first draft of these new rules and forwarded it on to the association’s attorney for review.  In mid-January the Board received the attorney’s analysis of the proposed new policies and procedures and is now in the process of reviewing and making those suggested changes.  Once the final changes are in place, the Board intends on bringing these new policies and procedures to a discussion and possible vote for approval at the February 2006 meeting.  Once the Board has passed them, a complete copy of them will be distributed to all Andover Glen residents.  One very important thing to keep in mind is that these new policies and procedures are not in any way additions to or modifications of our covenants but are simply the policies and procedures to say how those covenants will be enforced on a fair and consistent basis.  If you have any questions about this process, or any other items related to our Association, please feel free to give me call or drop me an email.  My phone is 303-693-0546 and my email is rgatess@yahoo.com. ~

A Happy New Year

By Debra Jones

I hope the New Year is bringing good cheer and good health to everyone in Andover Glen.  I'm sure some of you are wondering about what happened to 2005 Holiday Party!  First of all I want you to know that we had a lot of suggestions. In the past, we were all invited into a neighbor’s home for the Holiday Party.  We also had another neighbor open their home to watch our children while we went to the party. Even with all of this kindness, there only a slight attendance to the party.  We tried to think of ways that we could get more Andover Glen families to participate.  Our choices:

1. We considered going to everyone's home and sing Holiday carols, but with some of us being tone deaf, that may not have brought such Holiday cheer.
2. A neighbor's home (again, probably lack of participation)
3. A clubhouse near by (party at a clubhouse, possibly there would be more participation and the whole family could attend, not available)
4. Shalom Park (not cost effective)

So with everything considered, we decided not to have a Holiday Party this year.

Social events are a nice way to meet your neighbors and it helps keep our neighborhood friendly and safe.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions for this years Holiday party or any social event.  My e-mail address is debsew79@msn.com.  ~

New Andover Glen website is here!

By Randy Simpson

Well, if you looked at the top of this newsletter you may have noticed that the website address for Andover Glen has changed!  Our new website is:

www.andoverglen.org

Norm Arlt has put a lot of time into getting this website up and running and further refinements will be added in the months to come, but I think Norm has done a great job in creating a “one stop shopping” website for everything you need to know about Andover Glen and/or conduct business with the association.  I urge everyone to go the site and give it a test run and let Norm or another AG Board Member know what you  like or don’t like about it. This is truly meant to be your neighborhood’s website, and so we truly want your feedback about how to make is as user friendly and helpful and useful as possible. So wax up your surfboard and surf the net on over to www.andoverglen.org and see the beginning of what we hope to build into everyone in Andover Glen’s favorite website! ~

Young man from Andover Glen sets an example for us all…

By Debra Jones

What does it mean to be a “good neighbor”? There lot’s of adults who might discuss and debate this issue for hours upon hours, but there is one young man from Andover Glen who simply decided that actions speak louder than words. It was a "very, very cold" snowy day in December and I noticed someone wearing a red jacket shoveling the walks around my house.  Then on the next day, which was just as cold and snowy, I was leaving my house and noticed that same red jacket.  The red jacket belonged to a young man named "Alex".  I thanked him for shoveling my walks and he said "your welcome, I was bored". He walked around the neighborhood shoveling everyone's main side walk. Never complaining or asking for any sort of payment. Alex, thank you again, and thanks for reminding us by your simple and generous actions what it really means to be a “good neighbor”. ~

Have we got a job for you!

By Randy Simpson

If you are a youngster (or an adult, I’m not picky!) who is interested in earning an extra $10 a month, get some exercise, and meet some of your neighbors, why not consider delivering the Gazette each month?!  The Gazette is currently looking for an energetic person to roll and distribute the Gazette to the 99 homes in Andover Glen.  The Gazette will supply the rubber bands, printed Gazette, and even a handy carrying bag.  Average monthly commitment is about 60 to 90 minutes. If you’re interested contact Randy Simpson at 303-693-0546. ~

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20% discount on frames and lenses to anyone who mentions the ad in the Andover Glen newsletter. (Not valid with any other discounts or insurance.) 

Neighborhood Watch Update…

By Bob Meyer

This just in from Aurora Police Dept:  “Puffers” , which are cars left running without the owner around, or cars (if stolen) with keys left inside may earn their owner a fine of $50 to $1,000.  Yes, I know, and the perp will likely not be caught—but you will get the fine anyway.  So keep yer keys in yer pocket and save yer money!  (Some things, I will never understand.)

Also, as the weather improves, windows and doors may be opened for ventilation.  Please close and lock them if you leave the premises.  Chat with your good neighbors and try to help watch each other’s homes.  Working outside?  Have a glance around occasionally to see what is going on.  Taking a walk?  Try to remember your cell phone.  

Be prepared to take prompt, effective action.  Call a neighbor to help check things out, or phone 9-11 if warranted.  Alert and prepared neighborhoods send a certain message to criminals.  Let them go someplace else to make a living.  

Stay alert, stay safe! ~

Spiff Update for 2006

By Bob Meyer

Happy New Year everyone!  And thanks to all that participated in our spiff contest last year.  We awarded over $1,000 in prizes!  Congratulations to the winners!  (By the way, if you have not yet scheduled that wonderful massage or visited the health club for your free membership, please try to do so soon….you will be very glad you did.) 

We shall have a new award this year, that of best exterior fence.  That is, one visible from the street.  Think of the fence as an extension of your home, stand back a bit and have a look.  Is it good, uniform, and attractive?  Or perhaps the years have turned things dingy, with water fan marks? 

The folks at Allstar Deck Restoration (303-840-4630) will give you an estimate.  They brightened our fence along Parker Road and freshened up our gazebo.  We thought the price was fair.

Or, you may make your own plans for later, when the conditions improve.  Badly weathered fences may need a power wash before applying stain.  Our Colorado climate is hard on unprotected wood because of dryness, UV, and city water.  See your experts at the hardware store for recommendations and treatment plans.  The Andover Glen fence now looks better and yours can as well!

Sprinkler heads can be re-oriented to avoid spraying fences, resulting in those lovely fan shaped marks.  Also, the four-by supports, if watered frequently, will rot and fail after some time.  Replacing those is no fun at all!

Like to see a great fence?  Check the Windler’s at Saratoga and Carson.  Good luck to all and thanks for your efforts.  Remember, Sophia Loren turned 72 this year and still looks great!  All it takes is a little tender love and care. ~

Next Meeting reminder:

The next AG board meeting is open to all AG Association members and will be held at Shalom Park on Wednesday, February 15^th at 7 p.m

Some other Friendly Reminders…

* It is the polite thing to do (and actually required by Aurora City Code) to clean up after your dog.  Please be considerate of others and keep our neighborhood and parks beautiful and clean!

 * Some homeowners are putting out their trash too early.  Please put your trash out late in the evening before or on the morning of your pick-up.  Plus, put your trash in a container that has a lid, or in trash bags securely tied.  Loose trash blows around the neighborhood.

* If you put up Christmas decorations, please remember to take them down in a timely manner.

* Please keep your speed down when driving through the neighborhood.  The extra ten seconds it takes you to get where you’re going is worth the life you may be saving.  The SPEED LIMIT IS 25 in residential neighborhoods.

Looking for Advertisers!

By Randy Simpson

If you or someone you know may be interested in some very reasonable advertising rates here in the Gazette, and/or on the Andover Glen web page, have them contact Randy Simpson, at 303-693-0546 or rgatess@yahoo.com.  Also, remember that “Neighbor to Neighbor” ads are free to Andover Glen residents, and if you are running an ad that may be old and expired, please let us know.