July  2000 Newsletter

PHA  HOMEOWNER

PUBLISHED BY THE PINERY HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION

Pinery Pedal & Picnic Schedule of Events
Sat. August 12, 2000

Pinery Pedal Bike Rides start and finish at the fire station:

8:00AM 26.2 mile Pinery Marathon travels through all of the Pinery neighborhoods (North & South Pinery, Misty Pines, Pinery Estates, Pinery Pointe, the Pinery Townhomes, Fairway Ridge and the Timbers)

8:30AM 13.1 mile Pinery Tour winds through North & South Pinery, Misty Pines, Pinery Estates, Fairway Ridge and the Timbers.

9:00AM 5 mile Family Ride tours the middle part of the Pinery and the Pinery Lake area.

Picnic at Pinery Park

8:30-10:00AM Re-Max Tethered Balloon Rides: First-come first-served. Line forms at 7:30 am. Rides can be given only if weather is calm (wind less than 5 mph). Balloon set-up at 7:30 am.

Destinations Cyclery Demo bikes: recumbent, tandem, unicycles, road bikes and mountain bikes for you to try. Make arrangements with Destinations at their tent before the ride.

Destinations Tech Tent: quick-check your bike and get ready to ride.

9:00AM–12:00PM Parker Fire Department Open House and Fire-Hosing for the kids… 

10:00AM State Farm Bicycle Safety Rodeo: young‘uns navigate the cones on the basketball court and earn a bicycle safety license with their photograph.

Pinery Beach, Lemonade Stand, and Water Hole: sand and water for young kids, chairs and umbrellas for parents

Face Painting (bring your own design or have an artist make one up for you).

The Flush Tank: throw tennis balls to soak your Mom, Dad, or closest friend!

Pinery Lake Committee: fly tying and casting, learn about the fish in Bingham Lake and how to catch them. How about a tiger muskie?

Pinery Bird Sanctuary: What do our local birds look like and where can they be found? What do bluebirds eat if they don’t eat seeds?

Pinery Homeowners Association tent: Meet Sonja, Dave, and Johanna of the PHA. Learn the schedule for the Timbers build-out, and find out what’s up.

Massage: will make you feel better after your ride…

Barbecue Picnic Lunch: 11:30AM

BBQ picnic of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, veggies, fruits, desert and drinks.

We can’t guarantee lunches for walk-ons. Walk-ons are people who order lunch the day of the event and will have to wait until the reserved lunches are served, so be sure to register before August 1 so we can plan to feed you. Do it today so you won’t forget.

The Drawing will be held at 1:00PM

Chances are $1.00 each, 15 for $10.00 for an opportunity to win prizes from your local Pinery businesses like these:

If your business would like to be included, call Tom Kimball any time before August 7th at (303) 841-1846.

NOTES FROM THE PHA

Bird Sanctuary “Get Together”

 The Pinery Bird Sanctuary is rapidly becoming a reality because of a few, dedicated Pinery residents and volunteers. On Sunday, June 11th, several of these volunteers and their leader, Deb Dieter, got together at the Sanctuary to review the progress to date and to plan for this summer. It’s obvious to this writer that this group needs more volunteers if the project is to succeed. Additionally, donations of time, plants, and monies are needed to provide an adequate environment for the birds and wildlife expected to inhabit this development. There are many ways resident volunteers can assist in this project. Just call Deb Dieter at 303-840-4360 for this information. One of the most critical projects that needs help is the building of birdhouses. If you have the time and skill to build birdhouses be sure to call Deb.

Volunteerism Does Work!

Volunteers Install Benches at Bingham Lake

Based on an idea from the Rocky Mountain Forest, Pinery volunteers created and installed eight (8) new benches around Bingham Lake. With funding from the Pinery HOA, several resident volunteers, Doug Stephenson, Bill Hames, Doug Ravnholdt, Dave Kristick and his daughter, Paula Collis got the job done. Our thanks go to the developers of the Timbers who graciously donated a dead tree for the project, with special thanks to Doug Stephenson whose expert craftmanship transformed it so beautifully into these benches for all to enjoy! The PHA and our loyal volunteers hope that persons using the Bingham Lake area will enjoy these new benches. In addition, please help keep the lake area clean by removing any trash or garbage that is brought in and not taken out by other visitors. The beauty of the Bingham Lake area must be protected, and we ask everyone to help in doing so. Watch for more projects you can help with at the lake.
Volunteerism does work! Join the team.

Volunteers Needed for Pinery Pedal & Picnic

Our annual Pinery Pedal & Picnic is right around the corner. To make things go smoothly and to provide a fun-filled day for our residents and families, we need people to help. We need some strong backs and organized people to help set up, supervise, and take down again. Those participating will enable us to put on a better program than the last. Please help out and volunteer on or before the actual day of this event. Simply call the PHA office, 303-841-8572. Your participation will be greatly appreciated by all!

The PHA Needs Volunteers!

The PHA tries to address the needs or our members and residents in the Pinery and we provide several functions during each year doing so. To provide these services, we need our residents’ help so that expenses do not make our decisions for us.

We need community volunteers for committee leadership and participation in: The Bingham Lake Committee, The Pinery Pedal and Picnic Committee, The Pinery Parks Committee, The Annual Cleanup Days, The Annual Garage Sale, The Kids Fishing Derby and Boat Regatta, The Annual Large Item Drop-Off, and the Neighborhood Traffic Radar Program.

To make these programs effective and to provide community activities for all of our residents, the PHA is asking for people who can donate a few hours a year to step forward and help. Please stop by or call our office and sign up for a specific function or as a volunteer at large. We will maintain the list of people who volunteer and call only when we need you. We have one of the finest communities in Douglas County and we need your help to keep it that way and to try to make it better!

Help! Speeds are UP Again!

From a random sampling of our major collector streets in the Pinery, it’s very evident that speeds are substantially up. Speeds on more residential streets also appear to be increased. Also noted is that many of the speeders were not wearing seatbelts, as mandated by law. These fact indicate the need to resume our very successful Traffic Radar Program.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Public Works Dept. have established a Traffic Watch program with the PHA to slow traffic speeds in the Pinery. No citations are issued, but reminder letters are sent to registered owners of vehicles observed speeding. These ‘warnings’ are less aggressive that requesting law enforcement officials to cite drivers from the community. The initial implementation of this program was very successful and won the Pinery recognition and acclaim for its efforts.

The PHA is now asking for volunteers to help collect date and conduct traffic surveys. Training will be provided by the Sheriff’s office and teams will be established for continuity purposes. We all want safe streets in our community– call our office to sign up! 303-841-8572

PROWLER ALERT!

The Douglas County Sheriff s Office advises all residents to be on the lookout for a suspicious man in dark clothing, riding a bicycle in the Pinery at night. There have been numerous reports of an unshaven, heavy-set man in his 50's, riding an unlighted mountain bike between 9:00 PM and 2:00 AM. He ha been seen in the general vicinity of Mountain View Elementary School and has been particularly active on weekends. If he is spotted, please immediately contact the Sheriff s Office at 911 or 303-660-7505 to report his exact location. All reports will be promptly investigated by uniformed deputies.

PINERY RESIDENTS CLEAN UP THEIR ACT

On Saturday June 17th about 150 residents of the Pinery cleaned up their homes and contributed to the annual Large Item Drop Off. They filled 10 of the large roll-offs from Waste Management, during a much-needed drizzle, that failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the volunteers.

Fourteen members of the neighborhood volunteered their time to the effort, as well as the Pinery Water District, who donated their property and assistance. Everyone working together made this, once again, a very successful event.

Here are the members of our community that volunteered their services:

Paula Collis, David Eyre, David and Kathy Fonda, Ron Henkel, Don and Johanna Jacobsen, Dave Kristick, Don Reschke, April, Courtney and Steve Ruoff, Fred Slick and Bill Taylor. Thank you very much to all of these volunteers for their assistance.

The Large Item Drop off is provided as a service to the membership. Several participants were concerned over the fees they were being charged, so here is the simple math that should give you all an understanding of this community service: Each roll-off costs the PHA $300.00. 150 loads filled 10 roll-offs so roughly 15 loads per roll-off. Residents were charged $7/$10/$15, based on load size, with the majority being charged $7 or $10. Therefore, 15 loads at $10 each equals $150.00, or roughly half of the cost of one container. The PHA provides the balance of the costs as a community service.

Thank you again for your participation and also thanks to the volunteers who, once again, made this event a great success.

New Look for the Bird Sanctuary!

Back in April, in the snow, our bushes looked a little insignificant; but now they’re leafed out, some blooming, some even fruiting. With all that’s grown up around them, they may still seem insignificant to us; but this is a big step for the birds in this area. The knapweed is still with us, but now we have something that’s actually attractive to our feathered friends!! Many thanks again, to all who had a hand in this major step!

Thanks are also in order for Dave Kristick, who made a sizeable dent on the knapweed by mowing it right before the buds were setting. Also, to my neighbor, Maxi Young, who donated wildflower seed which we are gradually putting into the bare spots.

weeks available for residents, students, scouts and families who might want to commit to 2-3 hours during one week to do maintenance. Call me, Deb Dieter, at 303-840-4360 if you want to help! Watch the Pinery marquees also, for announcements regarding workdays. We will have a couple this summer, and one in the fall to “put the sanctuary to bed”.

Lastly, many thanks to some particularly faithful volunteers: Mary and Jim Wiedemann, Sam Dieter, Brett and Christel Barber, Sheila Gallup, Leslie Fiack, Bess Minor, Mary Ann Chapman, Barb Westerdale, Joan Dieter, Janete Komatsusaki and John Quade. These people are truly some of the best neighbors you’ll ever have!

PINERY BIOSOLIDS INFORMATION
& RECOMMENDED USES

Pinery Biosolids are a natural soil conditioner developed by drying and composting of wastewater solids. This product increases available soil moisture and creates favorable conditions for plant root development. It is ideal for landscaping and home gardening and works best when incorporated into the existing soil to improve the viability and water retention capacity. Polymers used in producing biosolids allow the material to retain more water, thus irrigation requirements are reduced. They may also be broadcast over existing grass or used as mulch. The user should be aware that some musty odors may occur, particularly when wetted, until the material is absorbed into the soil.

TURF GRASS: Establishment: Broadcast 1 inch of biosolids (3 cubic yards/1000 sq. feet) and incorporate with top 3-4 inches of soil. For extreme clay or sandy soils use 2 inches (6 cubic yards/1000 sq. feet).

Repair Areas: Broadcast 1/4 inch (3/4 cubic yard/1000 sq. feet) uniformly on surface BEFORE seeding small seed types (bluegrass) or AFTER seeding large types. Maintenance: Uniformly broadcast 1/4 inch ('/4 cubic yard per 1000 square feet) in fall and early spring.

VEGETABLE AND FLOWER GARDENS: Establishment: Broadcast 1/2 inch (1-1/2 cubic yards per 1000 square feet) rototill into surface 1-2 weeks before planting or Previous fall. Maintenance: Broadcast 1/4 inch (3/4 cubic yard per 1000 square feet) rototill into surface 1-2 weeks before planting or in previous fall.

SHRUBS AND TREES: Establishment: Broadcast I inch over- root area and incorporate with top 4-5 inches of soil. Maintenance: Broadcast 1/4 inch on surface soil over- root area. Can be worked into soil or used as mulch.

POTTING MIXES: Biosolids, Peat Moss, Vermiculite (1: 1: 1). Floor plants (heavy mix) Biosolids, Peat Moss, Sand (1: 1: 1).

Before biosolids can be used for- the above purposes, they must pass stringent tests prescribed by state and federal regulatory agencies. The Pinery Water and Wastewater District has developed a process which allows us to pass all the prescribed tests to meet Class "A" requirements for final use or disposal. The District monitors the product on an ongoing basis to ensure the consumer that it is environmentally and hygienically safe for the intended uses. A complete chemical analysis is available from the District.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PINERY BIOSOLIDS, please contact Pinery Water and Wastewater District 303-841-2797

Certified for Unrestricted Distribution, CDPH&E BMP # 1054

Pinery Park Master Plan

The diagram is an artistic concept of what the Pinery Park will look like after Douglas County Parks and Trails, have completed this beautiful project. On the plan are a covered picnic shelter, a restrooms, baseball diamond with roofed dugouts and backstop, concrete pathways, and much more. It is sure to be a wonderful setting for Pinery residents to have fun!

If you would like to see a  copy of the proposed plan, please come into the PHA office.

WILDFIRE VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

The fire department, through Keith Long, their Wildfire expert, has been working with the PHA to express concern for our neighborhood. They would like to warn residents that the Pinery and surrounding neighborhoods are very similar to those areas that were recently destroyed by fire. Therefore, it is critical that we clear away brush and grasses from our properties and keep a constant lookout for fire and fire dangers.

To provide as much information as possible to the homeowners of the Pinery, they have provided us with a very informative short video about wildfire dangers. This video, (roughly 20 minutes in length has been made available for any resident to view at the PHA office. A limited number of brochures are also available.

VIEWING TIMES ARE 10:00 AM AND 2:00 PM!

PET PEEVES...

As note to new and old residents alike, we’d like to remind you that although a lot of development is making The Pinery increasingly less remote, we must remain cognizant of the fact that small pets often fall prey to coyotes and other predators in the area. Please keep your pets indoors for their safety!

Also, a reminder of the following Douglas County ordinances:

Although not mandated, cats should also be kept in check. They are the single most responsible predator of wild birds.

Douglas County Animal Control at 303-660-7529 can address any concerns.

NEWS FROM THE WATER BOARD

We have had a very dry spring and summer so far this year. Hopefully we will have had a little relief from the Summer Monsoons by the time that you read this article, but if not, it is time to mention the need to be water smart and ensure the maximum benefit from this watering. Remember to water in the morning or evenings and to avoid the midday when evaporation loss is at the maximum. Water every 3-4 days and water longer. Most lawns do well on about 1 inch of water per week and you can generally reach this amount with most sprinklers and systems by water for 1 to 1 ½ hours per zone, twice a week. If you have a problem with compacted soils, aerate your lawn to help improve water penetration. Use of material such as compost from the Wastewater Treatment Plant as a soil additive or top dressing will also help to keep your lawn green and minimize water use. There are also commercially available materials, but our material is a lot less expensive and is readily available. Just call the District main office 303-841-2797 and ask for Kevin. He will explain the rest. With your help we will be able to meet water demand for all our customers.

With summer the use of Bingham Lake is also on the rise. Please remember that swimming and wading in the lake is not allowed.

Also, to fish or enjoy water sports a lake use permit is required. Per mits are available at the Pinery Homeowners Association (PHA) office. If your children under 16 years of age are going to be down at the lake, an adult is required. This is a great opportunity to go fishing with your children, grandchildren and/or their friends. Use of the lake is also restricted to Pinery Water District residents and their guests. Any guests must be accompanied by a permit-displaying resident. No permit is required for non-lake use of the area. The lake area closes at dusk, so if you see people there after dark, please notify the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 303-660-7505 so that they may check it out. All rules and regulations are posted at various places around the lake and are enforced for the PHA and District by the Douglas County Sheriff’s department. Your cooperation and assistance will help the PHA and the District avoid legal action in operation of the lake.

If you or any other member of the District have questions or concerns on any water or sanitary sewer issues, please feel free to contact us at 303-841-2797. To meet with us in person, we encourage you to attend the regularly scheduled board meetings, held at the District Offices, the second Tuesday of every month, at 7 o’clock in the evenings. If this is not possible, then please stop by the District Office during the week, Monday through Friday, 8-4 daily. Someone is always available to meet with you and discuss your concerns.

David C. Eyre, Civil Engineer, P.E.
Director

Pinery Homeowners’ Trash Service
Policies and Guidelines

The Pinery Homeowners’ Association would like to thank all of you who subscribe to our trash collection service. To ensure the best possible service, we ask that you follow the following guidelines:

Your consideration is appreciated!

Grass Clippings & Pruning Disposal

Several residents have been seen dumping yard waste into the open areas throughout the Pinery. Not only does this pose a fire threat as the debris dries out, it is also an eyesore and adversely affects the appeal of our community.

Please be a responsible citizen and refrain from further littering. Your actions impact your property values as well as your neighbors’.

Douglas County Fire/Fireworks Ban

As printed in a recent issue of the “News Press,” “until further notice, no open fires are allowed in Douglas due to extreme seasonal high fire danger. This has been mandated by the Douglas Board of County Commissioners.”

Only professional fireworks displays are permitted. “the sheriff’s office will strictly enforce the fireworks prohibition within forest and wildland areas of the county. Violation is punishable by up to a $600 fine. All inquiries about fire hazards and restrictions should be directed to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Kids Fishing Derby
Saturday, July 15th, 2-5:30 p.m.

Bring your child to Bingham Lake to participate in this fun event with prizes for everyone! Registration will begin at 1:45 PM near the West End of the parking lot. Grand prizes will be awarded for the longest fish caught in each species. Your little fisherperson can expect to catch any of the following: small or large mouth bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, perch, carp, goldfish or sucker. Please bring your own fishing equipment.

The Annual Kids Fishing Derby promises to be one of the best yet, with some fantastic prizes as a result of a major sponsorship by John and Karla Kopasz. The Kopasz family believes that all children should experience and enjoy the sport of fishing. It’s one of those activities that stay with you forever. In addition to the Kopasz family we want to thank Eagle Claw for their sponsorship as well. Your continued support is appreciated and greatly contributes to the success of this event.

A fishing permit is not required for this event. Permits will be available for sale should you wish to come back and fish again sometime.

Adult volunteers are needed to assist in measuring the fish caught. Please call the Pinery HOA office at 303-841-8572 if you can help. Required for this task is: a pencil and paper, a tape measure and a cell phone if you have one (to call in the catch to the registration desk—saves walking).

COVENANT CORNER
The Pinery Architectural Control Committee

Thinking of Buying an RV?

Please be aware that RV storage is currently very tight in our area.  Before you purchase a new camper, RV or boat, please be sure you have proper storage arranged.  Pending construction of our additional lot, the Pinery Storage Lot is consistently full with a fairly lengthy waiting list.  If storage is needed more immediately, another facility will need to be used.  For information, please call our office at 303-841-8572.

Is it Approved? 

As a reminder, Pinery Protective Covenants require that all exterior alterations to your residence must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee.  Some contractors in the area have passed erroneous information to homeowners resulting in unapproved changes to residences.  Before you contract to have work done, contact the ACC at 303-841-5305 to ensure the proper steps are followed.  As directed by Covenants, the ACC has developed Architectural Standards which can help guide you through the process for various types of changes. It also lists the currently approved materials for use in the Pinery. We'll be glad to send you a copy.