May 2003 Pinery HOA Newsletter

	Homeowner
	Published by The Pinery Homeowners’ Association, Inc. Volume 27; Issue 3

Don’t forget the Pinery Pedal and Picnic, Saturday, August 16th! Last year’s location at the park near Bingham Lake was a huge success! This year’s event promises to be even better—come check out the latest improvements to Lakeshore Park. Exciting changes are in the works! For instance, the Kids Fishing Derby is to be combined with the picnic this year. Please look for detailed information and registration forms in the July issue of The Pinery Homeowner.

The Pinery Art Show needs volunteers to help with setting up the art show on June 6. Volunteers are also needed to take down the show on June 8 (after 5:00 p.m.). We also need volunteers to gallery sit for a few hours during the art show on June 7 & 8. Interested? Please contact Carmen Gardner at 303-840-9253, or e-mail to carmengardner@hotmail.com. Volunteering for your community helps your neighborhood and makes you feel so good.

   Besides the obvious benefits, the snow was a great compactor for all the leftover junk plants from last year, and the sanctuary got a thorough clean-up the last week of March. The desired plants suffered no damage, and we look forward to a great spring!
   Part of our focus this year will be providing opportunities for two scouts working on Eagle projects. One project is a set of cornerstones to mark our boundaries, something we’ve wanted for years. The other project has also been in the plan for awhile—a circular path within our plantings. Look for separate articles in this and other editions, as well as in my regular musings, for more about these projects. We are very pleased to be able to work with the fine young adults in our local scout groups.
   We will also continue to focus on caring for our plantings, and our new wildflower bed. Students at Ponderosa High School can get community service hours for work at the Bird Sanctuary, and there is plenty to do this summer. Be sure to contact me about these opportunities.
   We are on the Agriculture Department’s “bug list”, and hope to add more knapweed eaters to the site this spring. We will set up some knapweed mitigation areas, so if you had a hard time letting it go last year, let me know, and I’ll show you where to hack away!! As in the past, workdays will be advertised on the marquees, and I’m always interested in hearing from you! Deb Dieter 303.840.4360.

Do you have a lot of unwanted stuff in your basement or garage? Then why not participate in the annual Pinery Garage Sale? Each year the Pinery Homeowners Association helps to organize a community wide garage sale. The PHA will place classified ads in the Douglas County News Press, The Denver Post, and The Rocky Mountain News to publicize the community wide sale. This will be a great opportunity to have lots of foot traffic at your sale.
To be included on this years’ map which will be distributed to “shoppers” as they enter the Pinery, please complete the form below and drop it off at the PHA office no later than Tuesday, May 27th. There will be a limited number of signs available to homeowners to help advertise your sale. Signs will be distributed on Wednesday, June 4th behind the fire station from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM!

   March’s historic blizzard brought three to eight feet of snowfall to the state, but we still need to conserve until the drought danger has completely passed. The District is asking residents to limit watering to two days a week on a voluntary basis from May 1 through September 30. This is a 20% water use reduction as compared to a normal year. Watering within the voluntary schedule should allow lawns to remain healthy and green, but limits over watering.
   In addition, the District’s largest commercial water customers are being given water budgets aimed at a substantial saving over the course of the summer.
   The District’s water supply outlook is positive, and certainly more so since the heavy snowfall in March. However, like everyone else in the state, we are being cautious. Last year we saved 20% with a voluntary program, and if our customers do that much again this year we will be in very good shape.
   The District held a Drought Response & Water Conservation Meeting for customers on April 22nd at Sagewood Middle School to propose its plan. Here are the highlights:

1. Voluntary 2-day-per-week outdoor watering schedule: Homeowners with even-numbered addresses may water on Sundays and Thursdays. Homeowners with odd-numbered addresses may water Saturday and Wednesday. Commercial areas such as Pinery HOA entryways, schools and parks, may be watered on Tuesday and Friday. Monday is largely a no-watering day, or by permit only.

2. No watering between 10 AM and 6 PM: You may water any other time. For example, if your day is Saturday, you may water in the early morning hours from midnight to 10 AM, or in the evening from 6 PM to 11:59 PM.

3. Water budgets for large users: Several of the District’s largest users, such as golf courses and parks, are cutting usage to fit a specified “water budget.” This system allows them flexibility as to where and when they water, so long as they conserve overall.

Most of the major water district managers in the area are following a version of these recommendations including Denver Water, Aurora Water, Boulder Water, and Highlands Ranch.
The District board is also considering an increase in water rates for usage above 120,000 gallons in a billing period to further encourage conservation and is inviting public comment.

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
Residential Addresses Ending in Even Numbers	Other Commercial, Water System Maintenance	Entryways, Schools, Parks, etc.	Residential Addresses Ending in Odd Numbers	Residential Addresses Ending in Even Numbers	Entryways, Schools, Parks, etc.	Residential Addresses Ending in Odd Numbers

   To blend buildings as much as possible with our beautiful natural environment covenants require all structures in the Pinery to be painted indigenous earth tones. This covenant restriction is a primary factor in the unique character of the Pinery. A sample board of approved shades is available in the PACC office. Some colors not allowed are white, black, red, blue, yellow, purple, orange and pink.
   Submittal for architectural review is not required if repainting using the same colors previously approved by the ACC. If your current colors pre-date your ownership or you are in any way unsure of the approval status of the colors on your house (e.g., if you don’t have an ACC approval letter on file), please submit samples of the colors prior to repainting. Reapplication of an unapproved color represents a new violation, initiating appropriate ACC enforcement.
   If changing colors, samples must be submitted to the ACC for review.
   For shades which clearly appear within the range presented by the office color board, the ACC administrator can confirm the colors to be pre-approved. You can at this point, begin painting, the change will be noted by the ACC at the subsequent meeting, and you will get a confirmation letter for your files.
   If there is any question as to whether or not a color falls within the desired earth tone range, color chips submitted will be reviewed by the board at the subsequent meeting. Be sure to have confirmation of ACC approval; either verbally if pre-approved or through an ACC approval letter as described above before you start to paint!

Most of the older homes in the Pinery were constructed without air conditioning. With our hot summers of late, residents may be considering adding air conditioning of some sort. While this is allowed, please be aware that installation of ‘air conditioning equipment’ is governed by protective covenants. Covenants require that any equipment, either air conditioning compressors or evaporative coolers, be placed ‘at the rear of the dwelling and located on the site in such a manner as not to be conspicuous from the frontage street’. Equipment installed without approval which is in view of the frontage road, on the roof of the residence or in any conspicuous location will initiate enforcement action by ACC.
To ensure you are in compliance, submit your installation plans!

– Clear photograph of the side of the residence indicating where the unit will be installed along with a photograph of the front of the residence.

Craig Haynes (incumbent), Scott Langewisch, and Amy Miller were elected April 8, 2003 to fill open board positions. We want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank John Nevshemal for his countless hours of service while on the board.

How about that snowstorm! In case you missed it, the Pinery just survived the biggest snowstorm in 90 years. Everybody had to stay home, even if they didn’t want to. When they finally started to dig out they probably saw neighbors they didn’t even know existed. Personally, I got a chance to have leisurely visits with most of my neighbors because none of us had anywhere to be but this beautiful place we live, the Pinery.
All of this reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem, “Mending Wall” which was written two years after the biggest snowstorm recorded in Colorado.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). North of Boston. 1915.

Mending Wall

SOMETHING there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbour know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
“Stay where you are until our backs are turned!”
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of out-door game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, “Good fences make good neighbours.”
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
“Why do they make good neighbours? Isn’t it
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offence.
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That wants it down.” I could say “Elves” to him,
But it’s not elves exactly, and I’d rather
He said it for himself. I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father’s saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, “Good fences make good neighbours.”

What a great poem, eh! Here in the Pinery we want to be good neighbors. A close reading of the poem suggests that good neighbors talk to each other, listen to each other, and respect each other as well as their surroundings. As I begin my second year on the ACC and dedicate my time to keeping this place as beautiful as when we moved here fourteen years ago, I’m inspired by this poem.
The storm opened many opportunities to talk with each other. May I respectfully suggest we do a lot more of that throughout the year. If you notice something that a neighbor might be doing or not doing that concerns you, before you contact the ACC try just visiting with them about it. It has been my experience that frequently neighbors don’t even know there is a problem until they have been contacted by our office. Oftentimes these neighbors respond positively to the concern and remedy the problem. However they also share that they wish someone had just approached them first. Perhaps you empathize with this. Like Robert Frost, let’s go “behind” the saying, “Good fences make good Neighbors.” Let’s build bridges instead whenever we can.

When: Saturday and Sunday June 7, 8
Time: Sat. 11 AM – 6 PM Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM
Where: The Pinery Fire Station at N. Pinery Parkway and Hillcrest, lower level.

This year the artwork will also be displayed on the Pinery Homeowners’ Association Website.

Admission: Entry is open to all homeowners in the Pinery. There is a $5.00 entry fee that is waived for Pinery Homeowners’ Association Members.

Artwork must be dropped off at the Pinery Homeowners Association office between 8 AM and 3 PM from May 26th until June 4th, 2003 and artwork will be accepted on June 3rd from 6 PM to 8 PM (or call 303-840-9253 to make arrangements).

Artwork must be picked up at the Pinery Homeowners’ Association office between 8 AM and 3 PM on June 9th, 10th and 11th.

All artwork must be framed and ready to hang, or be able to display on a table with ease.

Size of artwork shall be no larger than 36” wide. Selection of artwork will be determined by quality and due to limited space the total number of entries received per person.

Awards: The show will be judged. Ribbons will be given in the following categories: Best Painting, Best Drawing, Best Photograph, Best Mixed Media, Best Pinery Representative Art, Best Young Artist (12 and under).

Questions? Call Carmen Gardner @ 303 840-9253, or E-mail carmengardner@hotmail.com

It’s time again to remind Pinery dog owners of the Douglas County Dog Ordinance: Section 1 of the Regulation of Dogs states: “Whereas the Board of County Commissioners… has found and determined that in the county there is a real and present danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public caused by dogs running at large… and that said dogs are creating a nuisance… The running at large of any dog without the accompaniment of a human being having control of the dog is hereby prohibited .”

A concerned resident called the PHA office after the ‘Blizzard of 2003’ to report an appalling incident. Several dogs attacked a deer that had become trapped in a very large snow drift. No owners or leashes were anywhere in sight. Terrible as this was, the target of these aggressive dogs could as easily have been a small child.
Please be a responsible pet owner and ensure that your dogs are always under your control. This applies to barking as well. Also, please clean up after your animals. Your Pinery neighbors would truly appreciate it.

The annual Large Item Drop Off has been such a successful event; we are doing it again. We try to plan the event around everyone’s spring clean-up, “honey-do” time and shortlyafter the Annual Garage Sale, so that you have a place to get rid of all those once important, now excess, items that the garbage service will not take.
Now is the time to get rid of that “old range” or other appliances/fixtures, (except refrigeration units)—old chairs, sofas, tables, metal items and things you just want to be without.

WHERE: Across Highway 83 from the North Pinery Entry at the entrance to the Water Treatment Facility*. If you know where the RV lot is, this event is adjacent to that facility. For your assistance we will place signs in strategic locations.

WHY: The Pinery Homeowners Association contracts with our trash service provider, (BFI), to rent large roll-offs. Your fees do not cover the cost of rental, so the PHA subsidizes this effort as a service to our homeowners.

WHAT WILL BE ACCEPTED: Generally most large items will be accepted, but we do reserve the right to say “NO.” All items must be placed into the dumpsters by the person(s) bringing the item to the drop area. Our volunteers will not handle loading or unloading due to insurance concerns. Nothing may be dumped onto the ground, or outside of any container!

WHAT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED: Refrigeration items, (with or without Freon present), hazardous waste, paints, oils, contractor cleanup materials, trash, etc.

New this year is a large chipper/shredder that will be manned by our friends at The Pinery Water District. Please bring your yard waste in small manageable pieces and we will chip it for you.

Please note that we will have applications available if you wish to join the PHA and/or our Trash Program.

* In addition to the use of their great facility, the Pinery Water District will be providing free bio solids to Pinery residents during this event, supplies permitting. This product is a great drought aid for your lawn. Please thank our friends at the Water District for helping to keep the Pinery clean and green!

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED – Food, Drinks and Entertainment provided!
Please call the PHA to volunteer (303-841-8572).

The Pinery Homeowner Association along with two resident Coldwell Banker realtors, Carole Fluhart and Barb Buzako are sponsoring the First Annual Spring Flower sale to raise money to support Pinery neighborhood beautification projects, such as the Bird sanctuary.

This unique fund raising event is a great opportunity to beautify your property, get a discount on incredibly fresh plants, become a water-wise gardener and help fund community beautification projects all at the same time.

Residents of the Pinery neighborhoods are invited to order flats of annual bedding flowers and/or individual landscape and xeriscape plants. All net proceeds from the sale will go to help beautify our unique neighborhood!

Flowers and plants will be provided by Center Green House Wholesale Nursery and are very high quality, fresh from the Nursery and delivered to the Pinery the same day. Flats are jumbo power 4 packs of 32 large flowers and are priced at $19.00 per flat. That’s $8.00 below their typical retail price of $27.00! Individual plants are 4 or 4 1/2” potted and are priced at $3.00 each, these retail at $5.00 to $7.00.

Flowers will be delivered by truck to the Pinery on Saturday, May 31 with a rain/cold date of June 7 for morning pick-up. The pick-up time will be 10am till noon in the Bingham Lake parking lot. An order form is included on the back of this page.

Trash & Recycling News
...from Elizabeth Philpy,
BFI Representative to the Pinery

   It’s not too late to take advantage of our specials on roll-offs for the weekend or neighborhood cleanups. If you have a big job, such as remodeling a room in your house, or getting rid of a large tree in your yard, or cleaning out the attic or garage, a roll-off container may be just what you need. Roll-offs are large temporary dumpsters; you typically see them at construction sites. Sizes range from 12, 20, 30 and 40 cubic yards. The smaller sizes are just right for those weekend projects. You can even split the cost with a neighbor by sharing the roll-off container. Please call our roll-off department at (303) 286-1200 to inquire about price and/or availability.
   If you are only doing small jobs, such as throwing away some furniture you can put those items to the curb on your regular pickup day. Please call our Customer Service center at (303) 287-8043 at least the day before you plan to put out the extra trash. Customer Service will be able to schedule it for the driver and explain any costs that may be associated with the pickup. If there is a charge you will need to have a check or money order on the door at the time of pickup.
   With spring come the spring storms and windy days. When putting out your trash on trash day please help BFI keep your community clean by bagging your trash. Also, if you recycle and put out newspapers please be sure to secure them by placing something heavy on top of the newspapers, like a heavy rock or even your container with your commingled recycle materials.
   Do you still have branches and tree limbs? Everyone got hit pretty hard with the blizzard of 2003. If you still have tree limbs and branches to get rid of please be sure to bundle them in bundles no more than 18 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length. You are allowed up to 6 bundles of branches each week.

A $10.00 per participant fee is requested to help offset costs.
An additional $2 per tire (off the rim) will also be charged.
Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or water bill, is required.

	PHA Member Price	Non-Member Price
Car, SUV or Minivan	$10.00 each	$30.00 each
Small truck, trailer or Van	$15.00 each	$30.00 each
Large truck, trailer or Van	$20.00 each	$40.00 each