Woodrim Crossings Neighborhood Association

Neighborhood Newsletter - February 2004 Edition

Mar 01, 2004

Dear Neighbors

Our next bimonthly meeting will be on Monday, March 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Life Care Center of Aurora, 14101 E. Evans Ave. located at Blackhawk and Evans. All neighbors are encouraged to attend!

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***CODE CORNER***

Winter Weather Still Requires Winter Watering

For many people, once November comes around, watering their landscape is the furthest ting from their minds. But if more than four weeks pass without measurable precipitation, then citizens will want to put some water on their yards, trees and shrubs. Pay attention to what the weather does this winter and water accordingly.

• Only water when the ground is not frozen, the air temperature is above freezing, and there is no snow on the ground.


• Water earlier in the day so that the water has time to soak into the soil before freezing.


• Trees, shrubs, and lawn grasses will need supplemental watering, especially during dry periods where snow cover is not present.


• Use a hose and lawn sprinkler or some other hand-held watering device to supplement watering throughout the winter. Make sure to disconnect and drain hoses after every use to avoid freezing.


• Keep an eye on trees and shrubs. They are substantial investments that provide many benefits to homeowners.

Newly established woody plants should be monitored closely. Shrubs and trees planted within the last two seasons should be watered within the drip line thoroughly extending out for a about one foot beyond the drip line. The drip line is the area extending from the trunk of the tree or shrub to the outermost branches. Shrubs and trees more than two seasons old will benefit from water applied by a hose and lawn sprinkler because the roots may extend out as far as the tree or shrub is high.

For more information on winter watering, call 303-739-7195 to visit www.auroragov.org/water and click on Fall/Winter Landscape care.

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WCNA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please see the "Community Calendar" that is on our website for this information.

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WOODRIM CROSSING NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 5, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Russell Perron, at 7:10. Eight neighbors and two guests were in attendance. Our guests were our PAR Officer, Damon Vaz, and our new Ward IV City Council Representative, Molly Markert.

The minutes of the November 3, 2003 meeting were approved. The treasurer?’s report was given. Our balance is $1,076.98. It was moved, seconded, and approved to give a gift certificate to our PAR Officer for all he has done for our neighborhood.

Under Old Business, Barb Johnson gave a report for the Neighborhood Development Committee. She reported that we have applied for a Micro Grant from the city for the Ethiopian Evangelical Church to replace their landscaping. The grant could be for as much as $4200. The money would replace vegetation in the front. There would be less grass than there is now. The church is working with Nick?’s to plan the landscaping. Under $2000 will be labor charges. The application also included new a sprinkler system. Our committee has helped to educate the church members about caring for landscaping.

Barb also reported that there has been a request to amend the site plan for the empty Target store on Abilene. The building would be split into four retail sites. Our committee was in support of the site plan. There are no tenants wanting to rent as of yet.

There was no fence replacement report.

Under New Business, Molly Markert announced that City Council has asked Barb Johnson to continue being on the Citizen?’s Advisory Budget Committee. She was congratulated.

Molly also announced there will be a series of Ward IV Town Meetings every fourth Thursday. They will be in a variety of places and at a variety of times. The January 22 meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at Fire Station 11 at Iliff and Havana. The February 26 meeting will be at Rosie?’s at 7:30 a.m.

There was a discussion about water usage and the need for future planning for our water needs.

Neighborhood garage sale dates were decided upon. They will be May 14 and 15, and September 10 and 11. Signs will be displayed for the sale in the neighborhood.

Officer Vaz reminded those in attendance to not leave anything of value in their car. Cars in darkly lit areas of restaurants around our neighborhood have been broken into recently.

Our next meeting will be March 1. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.

Respectively submitted,
Kathy Gamrath, Secretary

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2004 WATER SMART LANDSCAPING CLASSES
Please see the "2004 Water Smart Landscaping Classes" link that is in the Community Pages section on our website for this information.

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Neighborhood Watch

Police notify residents of recent car break-ins
Aurora Police want every citizen to be aware of a pattern in recent auto break-ins in our area. The thefts are taking place in the restaurant parking lots of those restaurants located in the Abilene, Iliff, and Blackhawk area during the hours of 5:00-9:00 p.m. primarily in the darkly lit areaa of the parking lot. The thieves are breaking into cars even though there is nothing visible in through the car windows; the type of car does not matter. They break a window, use the automatic trunk opener, and take what ever they can find. Aurora Police and working with the restaurant owners in that area. In the meantime, leave ALL valuables at home if you are going to out to eat.

BEWARE OF BURGLARS IN OUR AURORA NEIGHBORHOODS
Reprint from The City of Aurora Police Department Neighborhood Watch Newsletter:
When most people think of home burglaries, they envision a dark figure skulking through the night, looking for unlocked doors or windows, carrying a pry bar. In reality, this stereotype does not fit the average home burglar. The majority of home burglars do not work at night, but operate in the middle of the day. In most cases, they do not search for unlocked doors or windows, at least not at first. They march right up to the front door and ring the doorbell or knock loudly on the door. They will attempt to see if anyone is home for several minutes. They may look into any windows near to the door, trying to find out if anyone is home. When they are sure the house is unoccupied, they strike. They may leave and come back a few minutes later and enter a rear door or window.

If the resident is home, the person at the door will usually state that they are looking for a friend that they thought lived at this address. They may even say they are selling some product or use another excuse for being there. They usually admit they have made a mistake and quickly leave. Seldom does a resident ever call the police about these encounters.

Don?’t be one of these type of neighbors. If something looks suspicious, CALL THE POLICE. We want to check it out. If someone comes knocking at your door and you do not know who they are ?– talk to them through the closed door. Make sure they know that someone is home. If they are a burglar, they will usually leave once they think someone is home. Make your presence known. The last thing anyone wants is to have some criminal break into their home when they are there. If someone were to break in while you are home, get out of the house, go to a neighbor and call 911. Your safety is more important than any piece of property.

This and other articles can be found at www.auroragov.org, go to City Hall, Police Department, Neighborhood Watch

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Ward IV Town Meetings
Please see the "Ward IV Town Meetings" link that is in the Community Pages section on our website for this information.

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City Council Information
Aurora City Council
15151 E. Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012
Office 303-739-7015
Fax 303-739-7594

Ed Tauer, Mayor 303-739-7015
Nadine Caldwell, Mayor Pro-Tem 303-364-2859
Kathy Green, Ward II 303-367-1106
Ingrid Lindemann, Ward III 303-739-7508
Molly Markert, Ward IV 303-739-7516
Sue Sandstrom, Ward V 303-739-7510
Bob Broom, Ward VI 303-739-7015
Ryan Frazier, At-Large 303-739-7015
Steve Hogan, At-Large 303-739-7015
Brad Pierce, At-Large 303-739-7015
Bob FitzGerald, At-Large 303-739-7514

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Aurora City Council Policy Committees
The city?’s policy committees discuss policy issues brought forward by council members from concerned citizens or city staff. Recommendations by a committee are taken to city council meetings where action by the full city council is taken on the matter.

Committee meetings are open to the public. Agenda items listed for discussion are subject to change prior to the meeting day.

Policy committee meetings and dates are listed on the City of Aurora web site at www.auroragov.org. Click on City Hall, then City Council and then Policy Committees. Information on upcoming meetings also may be obtained by calling 303-739-7000.

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