Christmas Hay Ride

It's Hay Ride time! The HOA and Safety Committee are happy to announce that this year's hay ride will take place on Thursday, December 20. Meet us near the Phase 1 park... Jay and Scott will prepare the flatbed trailer and will drive us around the community to admire the Christmas lights.

Santa and his elves will be on site with hot chocolate and candy canes. Bring your camera!

This year, we're asking that neighbors RSVP in advance. The trailer can only hold so many, and we don't want to make people stand around and wait any longer than they need to. Please email Michelle (mquesti@msn.com) with your time request by Dec 18. The following times are being offered: 6:00pm, 6:45pm, and 7:30pm. Michelle will distribute a schedule by Dec 19.

We also ask that neighbors bring one non-perishable food item per rider (or purchase a $10 food donation bag at Safeway and show your receipt). All items collected will be donated to a local food bank.

And finally, hay ride participants will be voting on the best Christmas light displays. Ballots will be available.

We hope to see many of you there!

(Rain plan: stay tuned... in the event of rain, we'll post our plan on the blog and on Facebook.)

December Hay Ride

I'm working with Scott and Jay on a hay ride for December. Last year we did this just before Halloween and it was tons of fun! This year we thought it might be fun to ride around and look at Christmas lights. We will decide on a date soon, but I just wanted to let everyone know that we've got something in the works :)

Gate Programming Change

I'm way too busy to continue with gate programming these days, so we've hired an outside company to do it. From here on out, please email don@jc-higgins.com for any programming needs.

If you're new to the community, the gate programmer needs you to email the following information:
1. Last name, to program into the call box
2. Your lot number
3. A 3-digit number that will make up your home's 6-digit entry code. The first 3 digits are your lot number, and the last 3 digits are yours to pick.
4. A local phone number (land line or cell, just needs to be local)
5. Numbers off the backs of your remotes

If you've changed your phone number, want to change your code, need to add another remote, please email JC Higgins with the request.

Thanks!!

Community Improvements

Two improvements are coming to our community! Thank you to our Capital Improvements Committee for helping with the research on these items.

1. Dog waste stations (signs and bag dispensers)

2. Outdoor message boards (for community announcements, ads, garage sales, missing pets, etc)

We've ordered 4 of each, to be placed near each park. I'm especially excited about the message boards because I can place announcements in 4 places instead of on 20 mailboxes. All will be welcome to post messages on the boards.

Facebook

If you're on Facebook, you've probably noticed that our page has been disabled. As the page grew, so were the negative comments, arguments, and name-calling. While Facebook is a great way to network with neighbors, the page was turning into too much work for me. Just wanted to let everyone know why it's gone! Maybe we can start it up again.. just need to have some ground rules set :)

North Gate

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've posted. I wanted to let people know that the north gate control box is toast and needs to be replaced. Parts will be ordered ASAP but in the meantime, the arms will be open 24 hours since codes and remotes won't work.

Movie This Saturday

This is last-minute! We have a LOT of hot dogs left over from National Night Out, and I figured we could enjoy them while watching a movie.

Jay will be taking over with this one, and he'll be setting up in the Phase 1 park. Movie starts at 9pm, and he'll be showing The Lorax! Invite your friends! Hope to see a lot of people there!

Movie in the Park

Sorry for the short notice... combination of waiting on the new electrical outlet in the park and keeping an eye on the forecast...

This year's first movie in the park will be held this Saturday in the big Phase 3 park (different location than last year). We'll start some Disney cartoons around 9pm and the movie will begin at 9:30. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks, bug spray, and flashlights. And feel free to bring family and friends as well!

Saturday's movie will be "We Bought a Zoo" (2:06, rated PG).

Two simple rules: if you can't attend, please arrange for another adult to be responsible your children. Unsupervised kids will be sent home. And we need to clear the park as soon as the movie is over as a courtesy to those who live near the park. Thanks :)

We'll show more movies throughout the summer. Hope to see a lot of people there! And thank you to Scott and Jay who are helping me out this year :)

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

It's that time of year again! The Grand Firs 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, April 8 at 1pm. Please note that we're changing the location: this year's hunt will take place in the large Phase 3 park (way in the back).

Please show up a few minutes prior, as the hunt will begin promptly at 1pm. It usually only takes a few minutes for the kids to clean out the park, so don't be late!

The Easter Bunny will be there as well. Bring your camera! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

(PS: We "hide" a portion of the eggs in plain sight for the babies and toddlers to find. Parents of older kids, please ask you kids to leave these easy eggs for the little ones. In years past, the older kids have been great about this and we really appreciate it. Thank you!)

Speed Limit Signs

Four speed limit signs (two for each entrance) have arrived and will be placed soon.

Dog Waste

Dog waste in front yards and common areas continues to be a problem in our community.

Dogs poop, and that's okay. But please clean it up.

Thanks :)