Orchard Valley at Cherry Creek Park

OV VOICE Winter 2002

Nov 28, 2002

THE ORCHARD VALLEY VOICE - Winter 2002
Published Four Times Annually by the Orchard Valley HOA Executive Board for Orchard Valley Homeowners


HAPPY MERRY

The fifth annual ORCHARD VALLEY HOLIDAY PARTY will be at the home of AL and BETTY KOSLEY, 5986 South Elkhart Court, Saturday, December 7th, starting at 7:00 pm. If you haven?’t RSVP?’d please do so soon (303.699.7711). We need a count for beer and wine. This affair is for adults only, and the base cost is $5 per single or couple plus $5 for each person imbibing. Also, please bring a dessert or ?“horsed over?” (never can remember how to spell that one!) to share. This occasion has always been a great one to meet old friends and new. We thank DAVE and LORI GROVES for having last year?’s and AL and BETTY in advance for this year?’s.

The CHILDREN?’S CHRISTMAS PARTY will be December 15th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at STACY and BOBBY BARNES?’ home, 5932 South Eagle Street. There will be a cookie exchange, snacks, beverages, and photos with Santa and his helper. Call SANTA CLAUS or STACY BARNES at 303.690.3161 to RSVP and for details.


STRAIGHT ARROW

At ANDY?’s request, TANYA BOWER at the Colorado Department of Transportation has investigated the time that the green arrow and light on eastbound Orchard Road at Parker Road are on, and has determined that 8-10 cars can get through on the arrow (this would be true for all 3 lanes) before the light turns red, and that is adequate. If you think her counting may be dubious or that an unreasonably uncomfortable or dangerous situation exists there, give her a call at 303.757.9382. BE NICE!


CHILD LABOR

If you would like to babysit or perform other jobs such as pet or house sitting, lawn mowing, or snow shoveling, please contact KAREN EASTWOOD at 303.693.8095.

Call also if you would like these services. This list may not be complete. Keep KAREN or ANDY MAIERHOFER informed of additions, deletions, age changes, etc.

TYLER GROVES, age 14 ?– babysitting, household labor. 303.400.6004.

SAM JOHNSON, age 12 ?– babysitting, pet sitting, household chores. 303.617.1300.

ETHAN MORGAN, age 15 ?– babysitting, lawn mowing, pet sitting, household chores. 303.690.2083.

LEO ROCKWELL, age 14 ?– babysitting, house sitting, snow shoveling, household labor. 720.581.2038.

SEBASTIAN SAFAI-RAD, age 14 ?– babysitting, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, pet sitting, household chores, soccer refereeing and linesman. 303.617.0177

VICTORIA SWEATMAN, age 12 ?– pet sitting, babysitting especially with younger kids. Parents, GARY and ANN SILBERT are home when VICTORIA baby-sits. 720.870.0872.

CLAY WALDRON, age 14 ?– babysitting, household chores. 303.766.2329.


NEWBORNS

No new future presidents have been reported to ANDY. Let him know.


PARTY PARTY

Next year ORCHARD VALLEY will have two HOA-subsidized social events. The fifth annual SUMMER POOL PARTY will be for adults only so we don?’t have to watch and worry about children in the pool. Our first annual OKTOBERFEST will be repeated and will feature activities for our younger set. We thank STACY BARNES and the many others who made the first OKTOBERFEST a resounding success.


LIGHTS OUT

In early November, the yard light of a home on South Eagle Street was deliberately broken. The offending rock was found. Keep an eye out for incidents such as this so we may catch the perpetrators and immediately report the incidents to the Sheriff.


HI TECH

Reminder - Send MICHAEL and DIANE MARKS, MiDiMarks@aol.com , your e-mail addresses. Then we can transmit timely information, and even this newsletter, more expediently.


GONE WITH THE WIND

We are having problems related to putting trash out too early and not in secure containers. Packing peanuts, tissue, McDonald?’s bags, and newspaper have been sighted on our streets. The guideline is that trash should not be put out before 5:00 pm Sunday, the day before pick-up. Because of our wild critters, containers should be secure. Magpies can spot trash bags containing food within nanoseconds of placement on the street. Coyotes and raccoons are sometimes the offenders, though not often in our subdivision. Of course there also is the occasional free-running dog that can?’t resist the banquet.


CANINE ETIQUETTE

We continue to get complaints about dogs running loose, defecating on lawns and sidewalks, and barking within our bounds.

Arapahoe County and eventually Centennial require that dogs be under human control and not create a nuisance, whether barking or eliminating.

Loose dogs are a danger to themselves and to others. Feces are unpleasant and unhealthy. Barking disturbs the peace. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE.


WATER ROCKS

Did you notice from late summer through October that your dishes weren?’t as clean and your soap didn?’t lather as well as before or since? ANDY investigated and found that Arapahoe Water used up all their water rights to a deeper aquifer that is softer water, and had to switch to a shallower well that has more minerals. The new year and regained water rights started November 1st, so we should be back to only moderately hard water (till they run out again next summer).


DRY TREES

South Suburban Parks and Rec District suggests, especially during drought years, winter watering of trees and shrubs every 3-4 weeks. Water when the temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the ground is not frozen. A rule of thumb for mature trees is 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter (knee height). Mature shrubs should get 20-30 gallons every 3-4 weeks. Call South Suburban?’s Forestry/Horticulture Division with questions (303.721.8478).


ALL IS KINDA WELL

There has been strong neighborhood participation in East Cherry Creek Valley?’s WELL PROJECT in Cherry Creek State Park. Proposed structures have been modified and relocated to be as unobtrusive as possible. There still are some points of contention especially relative to access road placement. Many thanks to all homeowners who have attended the meetings and researched the alternatives to the originally proposed plan. Special thanks to DAVID and KAREN BALMER for their efforts which benefit the whole neighborhood. Questions about this project should be addressed to KAREN EASTWOOD (303.693.8095) or STEPHANIE PIKO (303.690.3899).

Part of the property immediately south and west of the Fraser bridge over Piney Creek (the ?“Bow-Tie?” property) is being considered by the City of Centennial as a trailhead PARKING AREA for 35 vehicles and as a neighborhood ?“POCKET PARK.?” The park would have a basketball court, a skateboard area, and maybe a soccer field. This is in very early gestation and you will receive more information. Please participate and express your opinions.

Homeowners will be kept current on these issues by e-mail. If you haven?’t given your e-mail addresses to MICHAEL MARKS please do so we may keep you advised.


RULES RULE

The ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ORCHARD VALLEY HOMEOWNERS?’ ASSOCIATION will be January 30th, 7:00 pm, at the VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB. At this meeting we will select new Executive Board Directors, vote on changes to our Covenants and Architectural Guidelines, and DECIDE WHETHER WE NEED TO RAISE OUR DUES.

The following are changes to the Covenants and Architectural Guidelines being considered. PLEASE call KAREN prior to the annual meeting with your thoughts about each item. We need to put those with the most affirmation together as a package for a vote.

1. New storage sheds will not be constructed in the neighborhood.

2. Basketball backboards shall be pre-approved.

3. Yard art such as birdbaths and fountains shall not be allowed in front yards.

4. Mailbox posts shall be maintained by the HOA.

5. Split rail fences will be allowed in interior lot backyards with the agreement of neighbors and approval of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). Artificial wood fences will be allowed with ARC approval.

6. ?“For Sale?” signs shall not be displayed on cars in the neighborhood.

7. RV?’s may be stored on the street for up to 72 hours with approval of neighbors and the HOA president.

8. Landscaping shall be required to have 60% of the area in grass.

9. Discussion with and written approval from neighbors before submission of plans for trees, play structures, dog runs, etc., are always welcomed by the ARC.
10. The Executive Board of the OV HOA may consist of two co-presidents, one treasurer, one secretary, and one director.


KUDOS

Thanks, JESSICA BENNETT for planting flowers and pulling weeds around the pool area. That?’s the kind of thing that makes ORCHARD VALLEY a great neighborhood.

PHIL CHIPOURAS has been appointed and has agreed to chair the ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE next year. Thanks to outgoing chair LYNN LUHNOW.

_________________________

EXECUTIVE BOARD, OVHOA

Contact any Board member with comments, suggestions, or requests.

KAREN EASTWOOD, President
303.693.8095, KDEastwood@msn.com

JEROME GILMER, Vice President 303.627.1703, Jerome@gilmermusic.com

STEPHANIE PIKO, Secretary
303.690.3899, StephPiko@yahoo.com

CRYSTAL FRENCH, Treasurer
303.693.7666, CrystalLFrench@msn.com

ANDY MAIERHOFER, Director and Editor of the Orchard Valley VOICE
303.617.3334, AskAndy@att.net

_________________________


JESSICA BENNETT and CAROL LABROT have indicated their willingness to serve on the Board next year. Other candidates are welcome. Contact KAREN EASTWOOD.

The WELCOMING COMMITTEE needs a new chairperson. Please call KAREN if you would like this friendly position.