Sunday, February 28, 2010

Community Garage Sale

Based on feedback, April 9-11 has been picked as the weekend for the community garage sale. Two households have committed so far. It would be great to get 8-10 homes (or more) involved!

Jim has sandwich boards that can be placed at the entrance to help us advertise, and Tricia has offered to place an ad on Craigslist and in the newspaper (we can figure out how to split the cost as the date approaches).

If enough homeowners commit, I don't see why we couldn't open the gates for the event. As long as it's a community-wide effort, I'm doubting anyone would have an issue with it.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Community Meeting - March 10

Neighbors, another community meeting is in the works. Jim has reserved the room at the fire station on Wednesday, March 10 from 7-9pm.

The Grand Alliance Association board members (Jim, Mark, Dan and Mandy) met on the 22nd and went over a tentative agenda. The topics, including guest speakers, are as follows (order to be determined):

1. Update on HOA
2. Update on vacant lots
3. Rensaissance Homes team: Randy Sebastian, owner
4. Neighborhood Watch Program: Judy Holly (Pierce Co Sheriff's Dept), Ashley Jones, Jim Nace

Three neighbors brought goodies to share at our last meeting. Anyone want to bring something this time around?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Backflow Irrigation Testing for 2010

Rainier View requires a backflow irrigation test for residential sprinkler systems once a year. Last April, a family friend came out and tested systems for several neighbors. And because we had enough people jump on board, he gave everyone a discount.

I've asked Brad if he'd like to come out again this year, and he's interested. He would like to come out at the end of March. If 5 or more homeowners jump on board, his price will be $40 per home. You don't need to be home for the test, as it's all done outside.

Contact Brad or Julie at 253-854-0714 (this is their home phone number) if interested.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Barking Dogs

A neighbor has asked us to post a reminder about barking dogs. Neighbors, if you own a dog, please try to be courteous by keeping them quiet. Thank you :)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Garage Sale?

It's early in the season, but is anyone interested in picking a weekend for a community garage sale? I know of a couple neighbors who are itching to get rid of some things, so perhaps we could look at early-mid March.

We'd need signs (Jim, could we borrow your sandwich boards?) and could post an ad on Craigslist.

If interested, please post a weekend that works for you. Also, if we get enough neighbors on board, I figure we can plan on having the gates open for the day(s).

Neighbor Review: Gate Remote

Chris recently programmed a keychain remote for Jay. I asked Jay for a quick review:

I bought them from a website called www.communitycontrols.com . The model is Community Controls Monarch 418ELPW1K. Once you guys programmed them, they worked great. Great range, too. I can hit the button before I turn off of 86th Avenue and the gate is already opening.

The remote costs $17. I know that people have been curious about how other remotes work, so I wanted to pass this information along. If you buy one, please email the code (starts with 071 or 081) to grandfirs@hotmail.com along with your name and lot number so Chris can get it programmed.

Friday, February 19, 2010

HVAC?

Does anyone in the neighborhood do HVAC or have any HVAC knowledge? Darin (Lot 1) is looking for some assistance with with moving his A/C unit about 3-4 feet from where it's currently at. If you can help, please leave a comment or email the blog so we can put you in touch. Thanks :)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Gate Code Information

A team of three people will be hitting the neighborhood in the next few days to gather missing information so Chris can re-program the gate's control box. If you don't get a knock at your door, it means that Chris already has all the information he needs for your household.

We'll send out a flyer when the change-over takes place. Chris hopes to have everything switched by March 1st. The old "key-key" codes will remain in place for a short grace period and will eventually be wiped out. The goal is to keep everyone informed so that no one is locked out!

I've exchanged several emails with Elizabeth (the Renaissance Homes agent) regarding our gate. She graciously agreed to let us keep the gate closed 24x7 as long as she and the builder are given an access code. Her phone has also been programmed into the box, allowing her to buzz potential clients in.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Welcome, Renaissance Homes

I received a kind email from the agent who will be handling the Renaissance Homes sales in our neighborhood. With her permission, I'm publishing a few paragraphs from her email:

I would like to introduce myself. I am Elizabeth Wetmore and will be the agent handling the Grand Firs site for Renaissance Homes.

I am sure everyone has seen the trailer go in and I will be on site shortly. I was out last Sunday and was welcomed with a few friendly hellos.

I have been told there are some mixed feelings about us coming in to build at Grand Firs. I would encourage anyone to go to the Renaissance Homes website and check them out (http://www.renaissance-homes.com/). Randy has been building for over 26 years and is the recipient of 32 Street of Dreams awards. He builds a gorgeous home.

I believe that it will be so nice for you all not to be looking at all of this overgrown "dirt" and debris around you! We will be building a model home on Lot 4 and the first release we have available include Lots 82-86, 109 and 2-6. So it will be nice to fill in those empty lots.

Neighbors, Elizabeth has graciously offered to answer any questions or address any concerns that we may have. She can be reached at 253-232-2888 or at moresold@hotmail.com

Friday, February 5, 2010

Driving

From a neighbor:

This is an issue that needs revisited within our neighborhood. I'm getting really frustrated with two vehicles that come barrelling around the corner on 230th. I've seen these vehicles both driven by young girls and God forbid someone be in their way. One vehicle is a little black truck while the other one is a gray Neon. I have small children and it's scary that these vehicles pick up that much speed in such a short distance. If anyone has information about small signs that I can get to put in the road that say "kids at play" please let me know. The spring and summer will be here soon and I'm worried about my childrens' well being.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Grand Firs Electricity

Jim spoke with Tacoma Power regarding our electricity. Up until now, no one knew if or how our bills were being paid. Jim learned that Mastro has NOT been paying the bills (big surprise), leaving our development with 19 unpaid bills totalling $2809. We have 23 meters within Grand Firs, so 4 bills are missing.

Jim and Mark will work with Tacoma Power and the bankruptcy trustee to see that the unpaid bills are paid out of the bankruptcy and not the HOA. Jim says this should give us a stronger bargaining position with the banks and the court to at least give us temporary control of the HOA. We're at a point of needing control ASAP to collect 2010 dues and get our current bills paid.