Cleanup Day 2003

Our third annual Cleanup Day and Community Lunch will be held this year on Saturday, May 31st starting at 8:30am. We will meet in front of Ralph and Janet Hanna's, 14141 E. Maplewood for the usual incentive of coffee, juice and Krispy Kreme donuts. After a little conversation and getting re-acquainted from our winter hibernation, we will pick up bags and trash-pokers and head out for the cleanup process. We also have flowerbeds to clean out and plant and a few other projects to be led by Joe Dirks, our Grounds Chairman. Following the cleanup, all are invited to a wonderful Mexican Fiesta lunch. There will be fajitas with all the trimmings, rice and beans, chips and salsa and dessert, as well as cold Cervezas and soft drinks all compliments of the Social Committee. Lunch is free and your presence for cleanup is not required in order to get in on the fun and fellowship. But your reservation is. So, please, please - when that flyer shows up on your doorstep indicate whether you will be able to attend either or both events and deliver to Joan Searcy at 6272 S. Blackhawk Ct. or Jean Roup at 6147 S. Carson St. Oh, almost forgot. We'll be serving frozen Margaritas too! For sure you won't want to miss this one. Come out and celebrate Spring with your neighbors.


Homeowner's Meeting Notes

The Sanctuary HOA met March 12th with all officers present. Items of discussion included moving the mailbox on Maplewood to across the street, replacement or repair of the fence along Jordan Rd., the infamous "gate" in Valley Estates, landscaping and water turn-on and the closing of Jordan Road into Cherry Creek State Park on May 23rd. Homeowners are reminded that individual mowing, fertilizing or extra watering is not recommended, since our landscaping contractor is responsible for keeping our community looking good, and consistent. Steve Jeffries also commented that solicitation is unlawful in our private neighbor and we should discourage door-to-door sales persons. The next scheduled meeting of Sanctuary HOA is Tuesday, June 10th. As always, all homeowners are invited to attend.

Planting This Year?

Lush ferns, trees with continual growth spurts, loamy black soil, no supplemental watering and lots of weeding are not in our Sanctuary's future! Deciding the level of Xeriscape is! Our recent drought is on our minds along with the realism that we live in a semi-arid part of the country, very different from Oregon, Virginia or possibly our "back home" place! So what do we do now that we must limit water and still want a well landscaped home and garden?

Try going to a well-established nursery where most of the advisors/sales employees are master gardeners and the nursery provides only plants that have been successfully tested for our area. Ask the experts and follow their advice and you may be pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results.

Garden Centers of Colorado Assn. has developed categories as follows:
    x-rated plants need 1" water per week: Lilacs, Blue Mist Spirea, mugo pines, Redbuds, zinnia, pansies.
    xx-rated plants need ½" per week: Hackberry, Hawthorns, Junipers, vinca, cosmos, verbena.
    xxx-rated plants need ½" every other week: Big Tooth Maple, Russian Hawthorns, Oaks, moss rose, salvia, California poppy, Jupiter's Beard, Blanket Flower.

Remember plants under stress due to watering, light requirements, mulching, soil preparation done incorrectly, etc. are the first plants prone to insects and disease, which healthy plants usually resist.

We are fortunate to have a top-notch nursery in our area, Tagawa's, on Parker Rd. They will advise you concerning pest control, plant selection, watering needs and, almost every weekend, Tagawa has short, free classes to keep you informed and help you do your work successfully the first time! Sign up for the Purr-furred card that offers 20% off one item and get on their mailing list to receive their valuable quarterly newsletter.

Contributed by Beth Schutt


TRASH DAY TIP*****
Mark your trashcans and lids with your name and address so on windy days your containers can be returned to you after they've blown down the street!