Andover Glen Gazette
www.andoverglen.org
“Communication is the key to a strong community”
December
2008, volume 6, issue 11
Andover Glen Gazette
www.andoverglen.org
“Communication is the key to a strong community”
December
2008, volume 6, issue 11
By Debra Jones
Come and celebrate the joy of the Season with a night of drink, dinner and…exercise? This year’s party will be the same as last year, a “Progressive Holiday Dinner Party”. In a Progressive Dinner you “progress” through the meal, from course to course, house to house, changing locations and hosts for each step of
the way.
We have five hosts that have graciously offered to open their homes for our Progressive Party. When you call me to RSVP I will let you know the name and address of the host. If you leave me a voice mail or e-mail of your RSVP, I will contact you with the name and address of the host.
RSVP: Call Debra Jones, 303-690-9459 or e-mail debsew79@msn.com by December 10th so I can place the food order.
A non-alcoholic drink will be offered at each home. If you have a favorite alcoholic beverage, please bring it with you. This party has been planned for adults only. If needed, sitters are listed in the Andover Glen Gazette. Hope to see you Dec. 13th! ~
6:00 P.M.
RSVP to Debra at
303-690-9459 or
e-mail debsew79@msn.com
by December 10th
As we come to the end of another year here in Andover Glen, I think it’s useful to take a look back at all the events the defined the year for our neighborhood. Some of the highlights (in no particular order) include:
 | Several very successful Dumpster Days in which tons of unwanted and unsightly clutter was removed from the neighborhood. |
| The renewal of the Andover Glen Coffee Club a.k.a. “Common Grounds” which rotates throughout the neighborhood and provides another quality social event for neighbors. |
| Another successful Garage Sale weekend. |
| A very successful Block Party in the Hawaiian theme. |
“Relfections” continued on page 2…
| The departure from the AG Board of long-term Board Member Norm Arlt and the arrival of Carl Miller to the Board. |
| The beginning of a long process of detailed review of the AG covenants to make sure they are current with Colorado Law and still meet the needs of the majority of AG residents. |
| Another successful “Spiff Award” program encouraging pride and beautification of the neighborhood. |
| The increasing use of xeriscaping in the neighborhood, encouraging the wise use of water. |
| The creation of a Community Garden project in which parts of Andover Glen Park will be used in a water-wise, ecological, and very practical way |
These are the major highlights for our Neighborhood. There are likely several more that I’ve left out. What’s important is that Andover Glen continues to be an active, involved, and friendly neighborhood where quality and community are important shared values. It has been my honor and privilege to have served as President of the AG Board during this past year, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities we will face together in 2009.
The economic situation in our country has already impacted everything from job stability to housing prices, and there is little we can do about the broader economic issues of our country, but what we can do is continue to maintain a safe, high quality and friendly neighborhood, with well cared for houses. This will ensure that Andover Glen remains a desirable community where families will choose to live for many years to come.
I wish everyone the most Joyous of Holidays and a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year! ~
Cold weather is no deterrent to criminals. There are several dangers that winter brings in terms of creating potential opportunities for criminals. The first of those opportunities is from so called “puffers” or vehicles that are left unattended and running in order to warm up on a cold morning. Besides being against the law, this behavior is also plain foolish as criminals are patrolling the neighborhoods looking for these “puffers” to steal. Dozens of cars are stolen in Aurora every year this way.
“Puffing” is both illegal and also invites criminals to steal your vehicle.
If you want to warm up your vehicle, the best practice is to stay with the vehicle, with the doors locked until it is warmed up. Never leave your vehicle running and unattended, locked or unlocked, for even a moment!
Another big problem in the winter, especially around the Holidays, is theft of items such as gifts from vehicles. If possible, simply never leave items in your vehicle that may attract the attention of criminals. The old adage “out of sight, out of mind” applies. If you find that you must leave valuable items in the vehicle for one reason or another, try to hind them by putting them in a securely locked truck.
Winter safety tips continued on page 3…
Winter safety tips from page 2…
A criminal is less likely to take the time to break into your vehicle if they can’t easily see something worth the effort. When parking your vehicle at home, of course the garage is the best choice, but when you’re away, try to park where there is likely to be lots of people around, and where the lighting is good. Criminals like to go unnoticed and if you park where there’s other activity you raise the chances of not being a victim.
Criminals look for opportunities. Don’t give them any!
Andover Glen enjoys a relatively low incidence of crime, and by creating an environment where criminals don’t find opportunities, and even feel uncomfortable hanging around, we can keep our neighborhood safe and secure! ~
Tips for Snow and Ice Removal
Submitted by Donna Foerster, GRI
Keller Williams Action Realty, LLC
This article was written by Tom Morgan, Move, Inc.
A fresh blanket of snow is a pretty sight. Maybe for a few minutes. Or in a photograph. Or if you are a kid and you’re getting a snow day. But if you’re a homeowner, removing this blanket is no cozy chore.
Snow blowers
Everyone knows about snow shovels, of course, but an alternative worth considering if you live in a heavy snow area is a snow blower. There are three basic types, with differing uses and capacities.
| Single –stage snow blowers are good for most urban and suburban uses. They are lightweight and maneuverable; have a rubber edge auger that gets very close to the pavement; handle wet, heavy snow very well. But they will not handle the hard, icy accumulation left behind at the end of your driveway by the snowplow, are not suitable for gravel. |
| A two-stage snow blower is good for larger driveways or drifting snow. It has an auger that breaks up the snow and an impeller that throws it. Its skids adjust the height and therefore are good for gravel. Most are self-propelled. |
| If you have a lawn tractor, it may have a snow blower attachment. Check with the manufacturer. |
Chemicals
Often, removing the snow is just the first step in the process of making your driveways and walkways snow and ice-free. Dealing with the ice left behind is the next challenge. Ice does not just freeze on the pavement, it freezes to the pavement. Breaking that bond, or keeping it from forming in the first place, is the task of chemical de-icers or anti-icers.
A de-icer is a chemical agent that is spread on snow or ice. It does not melt all the snow, it seeps through to the surface of the pavement and melts the ice there, breaking the bond and making it easier to remove the snow.
An anti-icer is a chemical agent that is applied before the snowfall begins. It prevents the bonding, thereby facilitating the removal of snow down to the surface of the pavement.
There are many chemicals and chemical blends available to use as de-icers and anti-icers. While the chemistry is simple, the choice is confusing or even conflicting. For many years, the most common de-icer has been rock salt.
Snow and Ice removal continued on page 4…
Snow and Ice removal continued from page 3…
The indirect damage and environmental concerns were offset by its cost-effectiveness. Today, more environmentally friendly and considerably more effective chemicals are available.Any de-icing chemical has the potential to harm the environment if misused. Some will chemically attack concrete. All must be used strictly according to the manufactures guidelines. Over application of any can damage vegetation; even those products claiming to be made from fertilizing ingredients can cause harm. If you apply the chemicals as precipitation begins, their effectiveness is increased and the amount needed is diminished.
New technologies
If snow falls on a warm surface, it melts. Problem solved. So the question is, how do you warm the surface? There are three basic choices: electric, hydronic and infrared.
· Electric snow-melting systems use buried cables to heat surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways. They must be laid before concrete is poured and could require upgrading the electric service panel but can conform to any shape. Lower installation and maintenance costs may be offset by higher operating costs.
· Electric heat-conducting rubber mats are a less expensive method and need no modification to melt snow. These easy-to-install rubber mats provide many years of use.
· Hydronic systems use flexible pipes buried under concrete to circulate heated fluid that warms the surface. They too must be laid before concrete is poured. It is possible to tied them into your existing heating system so that higher installation and maintenance costs could be offset by lower operating costs.
· Infrared systems use quartz lamps on poles targeted to warm up desiered surfaces. These systems are good for spot application or remote walkways and require little time for warm-up. They are more easily installed and good for retrofitting but they consume more energy making them more expensive per square to operate when compared to others systems. ~
Donna Foerster, GRI
Owner/Broker Associate
Keller Williams Action Realty, LLC
Office: 303-407-3700
Cell: 720-530-5554
Email: mrsdonna4str@aol.com
Neighbor to Neighbor
Services and stuff for sale, cheap!
Baby Sitting: Experienced, Red Cross Certified, 11th Grade, neighborhood Babysitter. Loves Kids! Kristin Guerra, 303-766-0464.
Baby Sitting& Odd Jobs: Red Cross Certified, 9th Grade, neighborhood Babysitter. Will also do odd jobs like house sitting, dog sitting, watering plants. Very Responsible. Shannon Guerra, 303-766-0464.
Baby Sitting: Red Cross Certified, thoughtful and loves kids. Call Sophia, 303-693-9356 or 303-668-6058.
If you have an ad you’d like to place in the Gazette or even an informative article, please contact Randy Simpson at rgatess@yahoo.com
Reminder: There is no monthly meeting of the AG Board scheduled for December. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Shalom Park. All AG residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Andover Glen Homeowner’s Association Board Members
Randy Simpson, President 693-0546
Dave Estes, Vice President 766-9166
Anne Stellmon, Secretary 699-8567
Barb Powell, Treasurer 632-3727
Royal Shields, Architectural 617-1307
Carl Miller, Welcoming 693-1899
Debra Jones, Social 690-9459
Derrick Laughlin, N. Watch 720-379-4616
Dick Moore, Grounds 400-8987