Stonecreek Homeowners Association

October 2003 Issue

Jan 05, 2004

Stonecreek Neighborhood of The Year!!
Stonecreek Homeowner's Association, Gilbert, AZ 85234 Monthly Newsletter October 2003

DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Some of you may already be aware that Stonecreek will be receiving the 2003 Neighborhood of the Year on Saturday, October 4, 2003.

This is quite an honor for the Residents of StoneCreek. Since the conception of the Stonecreek HOA, we've never received any awards. Yet, in the year 2003, we have received two awards. The first being The Partners in Excellence Award, which we received in May of this year, for leadership within the community. The second award is The 2003 Neighborhood of the year award,which we will receive on October 4.

So what does this mean for Stonecreek?
We have been selected as the Neighborhood of the Year out of over 80 neighborhoods in the Gilbert Area.
These awards will help to improve the values of our homes.
It once again shows that the Stonecreek HOA is one of the best in the Gilbert Area.

This could not have been done without the assistance of our Property Management Company, Borg Property Service.

Many of us have heard nightmare's about other HOA's. Yet, we live in one the finest properties in the Valley. Collectively, we can improve, but only with your help. Become more involved in the HOA by taking care of your home and surroundings. Watch for suspicious activity, and report it, so that we can cut down on the cost from vandalism; so far this year, we have spent thousands of your dues on repairs of vandalized areas. Lastly,

please pay your dues on time, as this is a very big issue of the HOA..

Together we can improve our neighborhood and continue to achieve more awards next year and the years to follow.

Let us live up this prestigious award and continue to make Stonecreek one of the best places to live in.

Playground Committee
The Board is please to announce that a playground committee has been formed. Representing the playground committee is Tina Sadler.

The group has presented potential additions to the playground that is currently being reviewed by the Board. If you are interested in becoming involved in the playground committee, contact Nancy Borg.

Wrought Iron Fence
As a reminder, the wrought iron fence that adjoins the common area is a shared responsibility with the Association and the Homeowner. The Board encouraged homeowners to provide the labor to paint your fence with the Association paying for the paint and the supplies for that fence. For more information, call Nancy Borg. Routine painting ensures the longevity of the wrought iron fence!

CALENDAR:OCTOBER
4 - Community in Excellence Awards 890-0056
4-5 - Folk Music Festival, Prescott
11 - Oktoberfest, Pinetop/Lakeside
12 - Columbus Day
13 - Columbus Day (Observed)
18 - Art Museum-Cowboy Artists
(8/18-11/16), Phoenix
25-26 - Balloon Festival, Sierra Vista


26 - Daylight Savings Time ends
29 - Board of Director's meeting
NOVEMBER
7-9 - Thunderbird Balloon Classic, Scottsdale
19 - Board of Director's meeting

Note: The Board usually meetings at the Mesa Public Library (64 E. 1st Street, Mesa, AZ) from 6:45 P.M. - 8:45 P.M.. Confirm meeting date and times with Nancy or visit our web site calendar. If you wish to speak at the Board meeting, contact Nancy by 10/22/2003 so that you may be added to the agenda.

OCTOBER
GARDENING HINTS
This is the time to plant flowers - almost anything that you want to plant is OK. Annuals include: African daisy, aster, bells or Ireland, candytuft, cornflowers, dahlia, forget-me-not, gloriosa daisy. This list does not include all Annuals, so check with your local nursery.

October is the "all out, pedal to the metal" time of year for gardeners.

Fall is a good time for planting frost- tolerant trees and shrubs.

RECYCLE QWEST DEX
Again, you can recycle your QWEST DEX phone books at Freestone Park (along with light bulbs and batteries). Call 602-651-2400 ext. 2665 for recycling information.

Better yet, did you know that you can get the QWEST Phone books on a CD-ROM and do away with the bug attracting books entirely? Call 1-800- 422-8793 to order. The CD is similar to www.qwestdex.com, but you do not need an Internet connection to use it. .


SPAMMED OUT?
When you are on the Internet and you receive unwanted e-mails, the first thing that you DO NOT want to do is to reply asking that they take you off

your list. Frequently ?‘spammers' are trying to find valid addresses and you confirm your validity with your reply. Delete any suspicious e-mails without looking at them. You may lose a note from a long lost classmate, but you didn't invite a virus to your computer either.

STOP IDENTITY THEFTWhat is Identity Theft?
We know, you've heard it before, but Identity Theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without permission, and uses it to access credit, financial benefit, or money that the person may possess. An example of Identity Theft would be someone using your social security number to process a credit application. The criminal would then have a credit card without your knowledge and can ruin your credit rating.

How is our Identity Theft Awareness?
1. Do you *destroy/shred* your bank statements and credit card applications after they are used?

2. Do you still have your security number as your driver's license number? Do you carry your social security card in your wallet or purse?

3. Do you pick up your incoming mail as soon as possible?

5. Do you review your financial statements and report activities you don't recognize?

6. Do you store any of this information on your computer? Is it encrypted? Where are your tax returns stored? (Hopefully not on that computer that you just threw away - waiting for someone to retrieve it!)

6. Before you share your information find out how it will be used or if it will be shared. Do not give out personal information via phone, mail or Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.

TIP: It is a good practice to keep a photocopy of both sides of the credit cards you carry - to be used in the event a card is lost or stolen, so you will have all the necessary information to contact your customer service operator. (But keep the list hidden!)

TIP: Old computers contain parts (Hard drives?) which may be reused are therefore are valuable to some resellers - and to prying eyes who revive your hard drive for tax returns, social security numbers, bank account, passwords etc.

If you believe someone is using your social security number:
Report any fraud to the Social Security Fraud Hotline @ 1-800-269-0271.

You may request a SSN statement to verify the accuracy of the earnings reported on your Account @ 1-800-772-1213.

PLAYGROUP RESUMES MEETINGS
The Mom's and Tot's Playgroup is meeting every Friday from now until April. They meet at 10:00 AM - in Freestone Park.


DONATE YOUR USED BICYCLES FOR CHRISTMAS
Now is the time to think about people less fortunate than ourselves. Here is a way that you can get rid of used bikes, make a donation, and save yourself the time and trouble of disposing of them all at the same time.
(Continued next page)
Call Tony Bernot at 480-892-7505 if you have any bicycles that you want to get rid of. They do not have to be in working order. Tony will come to your house, pick them up free of charge and give you a Gilbert Community Action Program (CAP) receipt that you can use as a tax deduction. Tony restores the bikes
 and gives them to CAP to give to needy children at Christmas time. Stonecreek has donated many bicycles over the last years. Maybe we can keep the tradition up. Call Tony, make his day and make a needy child happier this Christmas. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
October 10, 2003 is the deadline for all information to be in the next issue. (1268 E. Laurel Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234.)
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