AG Gardeners Unite!

By Lynn Walton

Have you been down to visit the new community garden in Andover Glen Park to see our progress?  The picket fence is almost done, raised beds are being installed and green “things” are actually beginning to peek out of the ground.  The anticipation is almost as exciting as the harvest! 

Besides the garden staples of tomatoes and pole beans, you might see bulb fennel, broccoli or eggplant emerge over the summer.  Right now, the gardeners are busy preparing their soil and figuring out how to make the most from their plots. But you can stop by any time to see how we are all working hard to transform the landscape from a barren patch of brown grass to edible produce that will feed our families and probably some neighbors too! We’ll keep you updated on the “growing” situation throughout the spring and summer until the final delicious conclusion this fall. ~

"Kiss of the sun for pardon, song of the birds for mirth, you're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth."

                      -- Dorothy Frances Gurney

Mark Your Calendar Now for the Garage Sale and Dumpster Day Weekends!

By Debra Jones  

The days are growing longer and the time is getting closer to our annual Garage Sale Weekend and first Dumpster Days of the year.

Garage Sale Weekend: May 29 & 30^th

The Andover Glen Garage Sale will be Friday, May 29^th and Saturday, May 30^th. We moved the date to correspond with Woodgate’s Garage Sale.  The Board decided last year to change the date in order to bring more shoppers into our Garage Sale, as Woodgate has many more homes, and their shoppers always spill over into our neighborhood anyway. Additionally, this will mean only one weekend of extra traffic through our neighborhood. The Garage Sale will be well advertised, so be ready for those early shoppers.  I have noticed in the past years that people start coming around as early as 7:00 a.m.  If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please contact me at debsew79@msn.com.

Dumpster Days: June 6^th & 7th

The first of our Dumpster Days weekends will be on the weekend following the Garage Sale.

 A large 40ft roll-off dumpster will be

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available on Saturday & Sunday, June 6^th and 7^th , near AG Park. This dumpster is for real junk and general debris from around your yard and house. Just a few friendly reminders, if you have any large tree branches or bushes, please cut them down to smaller pieces.  The following items are not allowed in the dumpster:

* no toxic wastes like old paint & oil

* no batteries

* no old tires

* no electronic waste like televisions & old, computers, etc.

If you have any of these items, please wait for the City of Aurora Household Chemical Roundup in September or a special e-waste recycling day held by the city each year.

If you have good, useable items left over from the Garage Sale, please donate those items to your favorite charity. If you have donations that you would like picked up from your home.  You can call to schedule a pick-up from the Vietnam Veterans of America 1-(800)-775-VETS (8387) and/or ARC (303) 238-5263.

Also, please remember that once the dumpster is full –IT’S FULL!  If we overfill it, the waste management company will not take it. If we overfill it, we all pay for another dumpster!  The dumpster is for Andover Glen homeowners only, paid for by your Association Dues.  Thanks again for everyone’s efforts so we can keep offering this service to our community.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at debsew79@msn.com. ~

Xeriscape Grant Delayed by April weather but will move quickly in May

By Randy Simpson

The Xeriscape grant project along Parker Road was delayed by the wet April weather but the contractor expects to make up time in May and then move quickly for a completion in early to mid-June. We’ll keep you updated here in the Gazette. ~

We’re Still Looking for You!

By Randy Simpson

Your Andover Glen Board continues to have an opening available on the Board. If you’d like to contribute to your neighborhood in a meaningful way, please speak with any of the current or past board members about the responsibilities and duties. The board meets once a month (and the board meetings are usually kept efficiently short and on task!). If this sounds like it may interest you, then we’re looking for you! ~

How about taking a Tai Chi Class at Shalom Park?

Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises for health of mind & body. The Aurora Center for Ac­tive Adults & Shalom Park have partnered to bring health & wellness programs to Southern Aurora. Classes are open to the public. The dates for the classes are as follows:

May 5-28

June 2-25

July 2-30

August 4-27

Classes are held Tuesday & Thursdays, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

The cost is $30/person and will be held at Shalom Park, 14800 E. Belleview Dr.

To register call 303-326-8650 or 303-739-7950. ~

The Emergency Broadcast System: This is only a Test

By Derrick Laughlin

Do you remember the old Emergency Broadcast system announcements on television and radio?  These days you hardly hear them, but when you do, it instills a sense of organization and stability for our country.  Our community has a similar system to keep you, your home and your family more safe.  The AGHA email alert system is a group email which notifies those on the list of suspicious activity or police activity in the neighborhood.  It is voluntary to join so consider being part of this neighborly watch group by sending an email to Derrick Laughlin cusleuth@comcast.net. Email addresses are kept confidential and used for this use only.  Right now we have about 20 families but we would like to have more.  Remember, there is power in numbers – let’s look out for each other!

In the meantime, here are some safety tips from the Aurora Police Department:

Spring is a time for being outdoors. It is also when we leave garage doors and household doors open. Nearly 40% of the thefts and burglaries in Aurora take place because house and car doors are left open or unlocked and valuables are left in plain sight. These are crimes of opportunity.

Help Aurora Police Department keep your neighborhood safe

• Keep your garage door closed...especially at night.

• Remove all valuables & lock your car when parked in your driveway or garage.

• Call your neighbor if you think they forgot to close their doors.

• Make sure bicycles are not left outside or unattended.

• Use exterior lighting at night around your house.

• Report suspicious people or vehicles in your neighborhood

What is suspicious activity? When do I call the police? There are a variety of signs or indications that give way to a crime about to be, in the course of and in the aftermath of committal; the important thing is not to attempt to investigate strange occurrences and for that matter to try and apprehend a suspect by yourself. Your neighborhood Watch Area Coordinator can provide information to educate you about suspicious activities of all sorts and assist in keeping you, your home and neighborhood safe. ~

Call 303-627-3100 to report suspicious activity

 (APD Dispatch)

www.aurorapolice.com

Hey, How About Some Coffee With Your Neighbors!

By M. L. Hanson

Each month, the Andover Glen coffee club, affectionately known as “Common Grounds”, meets at one of the homes in the neighborhood. It’s a great time for conversation, laughter, and building and strengthening friendships. Everyone is welcome—and we especially love to see new faces! The coffee is always held on the last Friday of the month at 10 a.m., but the May Common Grounds is cancelled due to the Garage Sale. The June event will be held at the Stellmons at 14309 E. Layton Dr. For more information, email me, ML Hanson, at MLHanson-consultant@comcast.net. Hope to see you there! ~

Get ready for the fourth year of the Colorado Colfax Marathon. Runners, walkers and volunteers wanted!

Sat., May 16 - Kids Marathon Milers 10 a.m.

Sun., May 17 - Full and Half Marathon and Five-Person Marathon Relay: 6 a.m.

Wheelchair Participants: 5:55 a.m.

The Colorado Colfax Marathon is an exciting event initiated by the cities of Aurora, Denver and Lakewood to shine a positive spotlight on Colfax Avenue, support economic revitalization along the corridor, and foster youth fitness. The marathon is a great opportunity for all three cities to share in an event that literally links all three cities.

The city of Aurora is proud to have the Half-Marathon course, which typically attracts the most participants, run almost ntirely through Aurora. Net proceeds from sponsors and race registrations go to support the marathon organization and its community and charitable efforts.  There are race day opportunities for wheel chair participants and runners and walkers of all abilities.

The five-person marathon team relay has segments as short as 3.1 miles. Relay and half-marathon participants may walk the course in lieu of running. There is also a non-competitive one-mile fun run/walk, the Kids Marathon Mile, open to children in kindergarten through 8th grade who have pre-registered for the event.

In addition, the Marathon needs over 2,000 people to help plan, manage, and staff all that goes into this great community event. For race registration and volunteer sign-up information, go to: www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org. ~

We are always looking for informative and interesting articles for the Gazette. If you have one you’d like to share,  please contact Randy Simpson at rgatess@yahoo.com

"A swarm of bees in May
Is worth a load of hay;
A swarm of bees in June
Is worth a silver spoon;
A swarm of bees in July
Is not worth a fly."
                              -   Rhyme from England