As Summer Winds Down, Relax at the AG Neighborhood Picnic

By Debra Jones

We’ve had a busy summer with garage sales, dumpster days, and landscaping projects.  It’s time to relax with your family, friends, and neighbors at the annual Andover Glen Neighborhood Picnic.  The food, fun, and festivities take place on Saturday, August 19^th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at our Andover Glen Park.  The Association will be supplying the hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, and potato salad, and everyone is encouraged to bring a side dish or favorite dessert to share.  Also this year, we have a special treat for the kids – an inflatable jumping room!  It will be a chance for kids to burn off some of that late summer energy and have a whole lot of fun doing it.  We hope that you and your family members can attend.  So bring your lawn chairs and appetite and come on out for some food and fun!  

What:  Annual AG Picnic

Where:  Andover Glen Park

When: Saturday, Aug. 19^th, 1-4 p.m.

Who:  You and your family!

Why:  For food and fun!

For more information call Debra Jones at 303-690-9459. ~

Your Andover Glen Board Needs You!

By Randy Simpson

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their Andover Glen Board!  There will be at least 3, and possibly more vacancies on this 9 member board coming up this September.  Obligations are relatively modest with the attendance at monthly meetings and possibly a few special projects throughout the year.  This is a great way for you to give back a little something to your neighborhood and get involved.  Just a reminder, if this board did not exist, homeowners here in AG would be paying much higher annual dues as we would have to hire a management company to do the work of the board.  So consider doing your part to support your neighborhood.  For questions, just call any AG board member. ~

Are We Spiffy Yet?

By Bob Meyer

Now, we’re getting somewhere!  After one of the driest May-June periods in memory, the rains came!  And the Glen is looking much better. 

Your star-studded spiff staff recently decided to conduct our judging and awards function a little later this year, to give our lawns and flowers a bit more time to recover from “the wilts”.  So get out there with your paint brush, flower pots, garden tools, and make something look pretty!  It is not too late!

Our prize list is growing in value every week.  We already have commitments for about sixteen awards totaling near $1,000 in value, one grand prize is worth about $150!  Categories include:  “Best overall”  (4 prizes), “Best Landscaping” (4 prizes)  “Best Flowers”, (4 prizes), “ Most improved” (4 prizes), and “Just a Darn Nice House” (hopefully 4 prizes).

We might be surprised to see what even a couple-hundred dollars worth of trim paint, shingles, flowers, or mending (plus some sweat equity) can do to make our Glen look as appealing as possible.  Statistics show that about 33% of our homes get new owners every five years.  That means any of us could be looking to sell—so why not try to get the highest value possible when that happens? Or, like our poster girl Sophia Loren, look good just for the sheer joy of it all!

Your spiff staff considers the following to be a “plus” when we pick the winners: New roof, new paint, nice lawn, flowers, treated fence, general upkeep, and so forth.  Negatives?  Ah well, you get the picture.  Back yards are not normally considered except when necessary to break a tie.  (So get rid of any weeds and worn-out appliances, please.) 

Also, remember to keep your eyes and ears open when working in the yard—brought to you by your friendly Neighborhood Watch Committee.~

Major Crimes in Aurora Down From Last Year

By Randy Simpson

There was some good news reported by the Aurora Police Department this month.  Overall, major crimes in Aurora have dropped nearly 15 percent from a year ago.

Through June 30, there were 7,385 major crimes reported in Aurora, down from 8,650 reported during the same period last year.
The Aurora Police Department attributed the decrease in major crimes to an increased focus on preventable property crimes, such as burglaries, larcenies and auto thefts, and improved communication within the department.

There were significant percentage drops in four crime categories and slight increases in two others:

Murders dropped 20 percent, falling from 15 to 12, Rapes fell 26 percent, from 133 to 98,  Larceny dipped 17 percent, from 4,970 to 4,124, Vehicle thefts decreased 25.3 percent, from 1,450 to 1,083, Aggravated assaults climbed 2.9 percent, from 308 to 317,  Burglaries increased 4.4 percent, from 517 to 540.

Keep doing your part to prevent crime here in Andover Glen by staying alert and staying aware!~

Work in the Great Outdoors!  Volunteer Opportunities Available…

By Norm Arlt

Got Household Chemical Waste?  

By Randy Simpson

The City of Aurora is once again holding its annual Household Chemical Roundup on Saturday, September16th.

Each September the Water Quality and Environmental Programs Division of Aurora Water hosts the Household Chemical Roundup. Aurora residents are encouraged to bring their unwanted or excess household chemicals to be recycled or disposed of properly.

Acceptable Products: Household chemicals and products like lawn and garden chemicals, household cleaners, other common household chemicals, paint products, batteries, antifreeze, used motor oil, mercury, automotive products and tires.
Unacceptable Products: Products that will not be accepted include explosives, radioactive wastes, infectious or biological wastes. No business waste or mixed chemicals will be accepted. Propane tanks will not be acceptable.

Only products from Aurora households are accepted and proof of residency is required. No business waste is accepted. The event is free to all Aurora residents, with the exception of a $3 fee per tire. The event takes place at the Aurora Central Facilities complex located at 13645 Ellsworth Avenue, just north of Alameda Avenue, off Potomac Street.  For more information call 303-739-7372.~

We encourage you to support the many fine businesses advertising in the Gazette.  They are supporting Andover Glen by donating prizes to our Spiff beautification program!

Worth a Quote…

“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.” 

                                          - Abraham Lincoln