Outdoor Water Conservation Tips
Even though we use water every day, it’s easy to take it for granted. Just imagine how you would function without clean water. It’s everyone’s responsibility to conserve and protect water resources. The decisions and actions you make today truly affect our water resources for the future. The following suggestions will help you get in […]
A Helping Hand
Community associations are not immune in this recession. Sadly, some homes have been abandoned. The homes were foreclosed and the owners moved away. When banks take over these properties, they usually don’t realize they need to pay the regular assessment. With the depth of the foreclosure crisis and their own financial problems, banks are struggling […]
Clarifying the Association Manager’s Role
Our association employs a highly-qualified professional community manager, and we think residents should know what the manager has—and has not—been hired to do. The manager has two primary responsibilities: to carry out policies set by the board and to manage the association’s daily operations. Some residents expect the manager to perform certain tasks that just […]
Sign Up For Free Online Newsletters
The National Gardening Association offers numerous free online newsletters to homeowners covering urban and small-space gardening, vegetable and fruit gardening, craft and cooking projects and specific gardening information by geographical region. Newsletters include feature articles, tips and resources. To sign up go to www.garden.org/subscriptions.
Surviving Job Loss
It’s never a good time to lose your job. However, the current economic environment has resulted in business closures, downsizing and layoffs for many in our community. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling offers the following tips for surviving a layoff: Allow yourself to be upset or even afraid. These are natural reactions. However, if […]
Community Policy on Security Cameras
We know you want to feel safe at home and you should. Maybe you’ve tried trimming foliage, increasing exterior lighting and installing a home security system. Maybe you’ve even considered installing video cameras outside your home to feel more secure. Before you invest in a high-tech video system, there are a few things to consider. […]
Association Documents Open to Owners
Have you lost your copy of the bylaws? Would you like to read minutes from past board meetings? Would you like to read a resolution for background information on an association policy? Some of these documents can be found on our association website. However, these and other association documents are available to all members for […]
Avoid Silly Mistakes on Your Tax Returns
Tax time is fast approaching. Many of you prepare your own tax returns, so we wanted to remind you of a few common mistakes and offer ways to avoid them. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: You cannot deduct your association assessment. Although they’re used like taxes, assessments aren’t taxes. They’re […]
Fire Safety Tips
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. When cooking for guests, don’t let yourself be distracted. Keep an eye on those pots. Smoking is another leading cause of home fire deaths. If you smoke, smoke outside. Keep a small bucket of water […]
Indoor Water Conservation Tips
You can reduce your water consumption by 20-40 percent without purchasing expensive equipment. Reducing water use can mean substantial savings on water, sewage and energy bills. The following suggestions will help you get in the habit of saving water: Kitchen Avoid the garbage disposal. It uses a lot of unnecessary water and can lead […]
