Official HOA Website

Our new HOA website is up and running. Jay spent hours putting it together and did a very nice job. It's packed full of information about Grand Firs. Check it out!

grandfirs.org

Annual Meeting

This year's annual meeting is scheduled for January 31 at 6:30pm. We'll meet at North Star Elementary in the cafeteria. Notices will be mailed soon and will include the proposed budget for 2013, dues statement, and ballot. See you there!

Board Positions

If you're interested in a board position, please submit your name, lot number, and a short paragraph about yourself to don@jc-higgins.com by January 14. We will be electing two new board members at our next meeting (Jan 31). We'll still accept nominations at the meeting itself, but wanted to give those who are interested a chance to have their name on the ballot. Thanks!!

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 :)

Package Stolen

Our neighbor Jeff posted on Facebook about a FedEx package (Christmas gifts) being stolen off his front porch. He wanted to be sure the community knew about it.

If you see anyone snooping around, please dial 911.

If you head out of town for the holidays, let a neighbor know you'll be away.

Scott is continuing to work with the county to establish a neighborhood watch program. In the meantime, just continue to keep your eyes open!

December Meeting Notes and Voting Results

Meeting notes, voting results, and billing notices for 2012 dues will be mailed to homeowners soon.

About the voting... we didn't have enough "yes" votes for any of the amendments to pass. The board has been talking about mailing ballots to those who didn't vote, or possibly revisiting some of these issues next year.

I've been out of town and have been getting myself caught up during the last few days. I don't have any solid numbers to share yet (sorry!).

New Board Member

The HOA board recently voted to remove an inactive member, opening up a position for a homeowner. At our last meeting, the community elected Tim Garber to fill the vacant board position. His term will be effective as of January 1, 2012. Congratulations, Tim!

Christmas Lights Contest

Who's up for a contest? Our streets are all lit up for the holidays. Let's all vote on our favorites! Here are the categories:

1. Most Traditional - Which home belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting?

2. Most Colorful - Which home has the most colorful display?

3. The North Pole - If Santa lived in Grand Firs, which home would be his?

4. The Clark Griswold - Who really went all out with the decor (and will have the electric bill to prove it)?

5. Family Favorite - This one doesn't have to be the biggest or the fanciest. Which home does your family like the best?

The rules: Walk/drive through the neighborhood with your family and friends, and write down the addresses of the homes that best fit the above categories. If you feel your own home fits best, it's okay to vote for yourself! Please email me (grandfirs@hotmail.com) with your list no later than Tuesday, December 20. Winners will be announced the next day.

Kids in Construction Areas

A neighbor wrote and expressed some concern over kids playing in and around construction areas. Please let your kids know that while these areas look like fun places to explore, they're not safe. Thank you!

Free Christmas Trees for Military

From Orlando:

If you are in need of a Christmas tree and are E-6 and below, head over and snag a tree while supplies last, no coupon needed. The trees can be picked up on North Ft Lewis side:

- Exit 120
- After going through gate, hang right at first light
- Next immediate right
- Follow road around to Northwest Adventure Center (pull around back to maintenance yard)