Villas of Cobblestone

JANUARY NEWS

Jan 21, 2001

Issue Seven
JANUARY 2001

GREETINGS!
We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with your families. Our neighborhood lights were beautiful this year, with top honors going to the Teaster?’s, whose twinkling rooftop lights could be seen by all who entered our neighborhood during the holiday season. Thanks to everyone who displayed lights and decorations for all to enjoy.

CHECK IT OUT!
We are proud to announce that property values in the Villas are soaring, with a townhome on Cobblewood Lane North selling in early December for $82,400! If we all continue to work together, we can only imagine what our property values will rise to in 2001! Please, if you are not a dues-paying member, join today. Together we can make some very positive changes!

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS
2001 holds great promise for our neighborhood. Since we are now officially incorporated with the Department of State, we will qualify for the Mayor?’s Matching Grant this year. We must begin discussions about this very soon, and perhaps form a Grants Subcommittee to see to the specifics of filling out the application, etc. We can also qualify now for a JEA Tree Grant and receive some large shade trees for the neighborhood.

Trisha Gercken met with Master Gardener Dominic Colanero in November and he was kind enough to provide a sketch of landscape ideas for our common areas. His blueprint for the neighborhood is exciting and beautiful, and he even offered to help us with the planting once we purchase the plants. He told us of a nursery where we can purchase plants at cost and he is also in the process of recruiting other Master Gardeners to help us. All of these ideas will be presented at our January meeting.

NOTABLE
Several of us appeared before the Planning Commission in November to fight a zoning exception that would allow a 200-seat restaurant/bar at the front corner of our subdivision, near Cliff?’s. Unfortunately, we lost by a 4/3 vote of the commission, and the matter has now gone into appeal. Lisa Carroll of Candlewyk Lane filed the appeal on our behalf. The hearing will take place in late February. We will let everyone know when the date for the hearing is set once we receive word from the city.

It looks like Santa was very good to us this year as new appliances seem to have appeared at a lot of homes! Remember, the number for pick-up of Old Appliances is 387-8999!

THANK-YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Special thanks (again) to Elaine Bedell, who has done so much to beautify our neighborhood. At our November Clean-up, Elaine donated all of the plants and several bags of mulch. She also attends town meetings and Shadco meetings to represent our neighborhood and she is a dear, sweet person who is invaluable to us all. Elaine, thank you for all you do for the Villas.
Elaine has accepted the position of Chairperson of our Landscape/Beautification Committee, and we know she will do a great job!


Special thanks to all who participated in the November 3rd Clean-up -
Elaine Bedell, Heather Burford, Laurie Martin & Trisha Gercken.
Laurie Martin is another volunteer who just never quits -- she is always doing something good for someone. Laurie, you?’re an angel!

NEW MEMBERS
We are excited to welcome new members Reba Smith, John & Tracy White and Lannie & Ann Newman. Welcome aboard!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Remember to check our neighborhood website at www.neighborhoodlink.com
(enter zip code 32225, and scroll down to Villas of Cobblestone)
You will find current neighborhood information and important community meeting dates on the website.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION - ONE OF OUR OUTSTANDING KIDS
Congratulations to Alexis Gause, daughter of our Cheryln, who is a Terry Parker High School Band Member who will be performing in the inauguration of President George W. Bush. Way to go, Alexis! We are proud of you!

NEXT MEETING
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 30TH AT 7:00 P.M. AT WATSON REALTY ON MONUMENT ROAD (ACROSS FROM FOOD LION) COME & HELP US MAKE PLANS FOR SPRING PLANTINGS, GRANTS, AND EXCITING NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS FOR 2001!