Lawn Care - $40 Core Aeration Service

Core Aeration Promotes Healthy Grass

Tony Schwab has spoken to Jeff Ambrose of Pro-Aire Lawn Service again this year about lawn core aeration services.

Jeff has offered his aeration services to Victor Gardens residents for a number of years and does a very professional job. He's offering a Victor Gardens discount rate of $40/per lawn regardless of size. That's less than what most others charge for this service. For do-it-yourselfers, this is a pretty good deal considering the cost of renting the machine, time and effort involved, plus the cost of gas. Jeff's done a great job on our lawn over the years, and I would recommend his services to anyone.

Call Jeff Ambrose directly at (651) 274-1535. He's currently coordinating a schedule of Victor Gardens appointments.

If you're unfamiliar with core aeration, the U of M Extension Service describes it pretty well, "Core aeration is the best method of dealing with the problem of compaction in the lawn. Aeration promotes moisture and air penetration into soils, resulting in deeper and healthier root systems on the grass plants. ... The best time of year to aerate the lawn is late August to early October. Aeration can be done in the spring but will lead to additional weed seeds being brought to the surface where they may germinate. In fall, weed seeds will also be brought to the surface, but they will not sprout."

National Night Out Tuesday, August 2

You're invited to Victor Gardens National Night Out, Tuesday August 2, 6-8pm in Arbre Park.

• Volunteer help needed
• Fiesta Cancun offering taco bar for purchase again. 
• Cake provided by KinderGardens 
• Dilly Bars provided by BIRCH, inc. 
• Water provided by Living Waters Lutheran Church
• Bounce Houses
• Crazy Hair 
• Glitter Tattoos
• Lorenz Dance putting on a show around 6:30p
• Washington County Sheriffs Dept will be there too at some point

SignupGenius has a list of easy, half-hour long tasks (like keeping an eye on a bounce house, help with crazy hair or glitter tattoos, etc.). We really do need your help in this effort.  Please signup now.

Do you know this dog or cat?

In two separate circumstances, a Golden Retriever and a cat were found. If you know who these belong to please reply via Victor Gardens News' Facebook or mark@victorgardensnews.org

Both were found in VG's Single Family Village. The dog has a collar and was found on Jardin Ave, south of the Jardin fountain. The cat has appeared regularly over the last few days near Val Jean Park.

Pokemon Go safety for kids

A few of us have noticed a downside of the current Pokemon Go app craze for iPhone and Android devices.  Our Victor Gardens kids have been wandering into roadways while walking in groups and riding bikes.  They're following a GPS trail to virtual creatures, "capturing", "battling", and "training" them from within the app.  

Parents, please ask your kids if they Pokemon Go.  Talk to them about being safe when they're playing the game around the neighborhood, crossing streets and beyond.  A few of us have noticed a few close calls with oncoming cars, and at busy Frenchman Road intersections.

For those of you who've not heard of this recent phenomenon, please check out these articles: 

• Police Warn of 'Pokemon Go' Dangers to Players, Kids - CBS News
• From driving accidents to distracted pedestrians and dangerous trespassing incidents, the phenomenal success of Nintendo’s “Pokemon GO” game is fueling growing fears for public safety. 

Movie Night Postponed Until Tomorrow (Sunday)

Due to weather concerns, Movie Night in Val Jean Park is postponed until tomorrow, Sunday June 26. Disney's Zootopia will be shown at 8:45pm.  See you then!

Unauthorized VG Pool Access June 10

Regardless of excuses (lost key fob, non-working key fob, left key fob at home, etc.), under no circumstance should any resident/owner allow anyone other than their own household members and up to four guests access to VG's pool or Neighborhood Activity Center. 

The Master Association's Board of Directors has the authority to revoke pool privileges of anyone who violates this policy.

On Friday evening, June 10, prior the pool's closing time Washington County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the Victor Gardens Activity Center & Pool. The response was the result of a surveillance report of an individual jumping the pool's security fence earlier in the evening.

Deputies discussed the situation with a few individuals and an Incident Complaint Report was filed. Victor Gardens Community Association ("the Master Association") and the Community Manager has been notified and will follow-up next week. Video surveillance from multiple cameras will be reviewed and cross referenced with the building's key fob electronic access log.

In and around the pool and surrounding area, video-surveillance footage is collected from multiple cameras. Each key fob swipe at the door is identifiable to a specific owner and time-stamped. This makes it easier to cross-reference the video surveillance and determine which owner's key fob was used to allow access.

Residents are reminded to not allow access to anyone who is not a household member or up to four guests. Fence jumping, sneaking in, or holding the door open is never allowed.  Violations should be reported to the Washington County Sheriff's Non-Emergency line, (651) 439-9381 and the Master Association's Management Company, Associa Minnesota. Customer Service, (763) 746-1188.

Empty Nester Happy Hour June 21

Tria Restaurant, 5959 Centerville Rd, North Oaks, MN 55127

Attention Empty Nesters of Victor Gardens!
We are planning a Happy Hour for Empty Nesters at Tria for Tuesday, June 21.
We will meet at 4:30 on the patio at Tria. We can socialize with old friends and meet some of our new neighbors. If you would kindly RSVP to Lynn Olson at olsonlynn12@gmail.com by Friday June 17. Hope to see you there.

Garage Sale Season

Garage Sales Season is starting.  Reply to the post on the Facebook to get your sale added here.

Thursday, June 2 - Friday, June 3
Heritage Ponds Neighborhood Sales

- Book sale on Fenway Ave (near Hugo water tower by Oneka Elem).  Books were donated by many local families.  All proceeds go to Hugo Food Shelf.  

Th, June 9 - Sat, June 11
Good Neighbor Days!  Lots of fun at City Hall.
Clearwater Creed Neighborhood Sales.

- Sale at 14260 Valjean Blvd

- Sale at 4618 Provence Way (6/10: 8am- 4pm, 6/11: 8am - noon)

Victor Gardens Pool Opens Friday

Victor Gardens Synchronized Swim Team, Opening Day, 1958

Have fun.

Play nice.

Leave your beer and other glass bottles at home.

Cameras and recording equipment is present.

Don't open the door for others. (If someone causes trouble and you were the one who let them in, you’ll lose your pool privileges.)

To report unauthorized pool access, dangerous situations or vandalism, contact the Washington County Sheriff.

• Emergency: Dial 911
• Non-Emergency: Dial (651) 439-9381

All Key fob and facility access questions should be directed to Victor Gardens Community Association's Management Company, Associa Minnesota. Customer Service: 763-746-1188. Colleen Brown, of Associa Minnesota is Victor Gardens Community Association's Community Manager.

VICTOR GARDENS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION POOL RULES

1. THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.
   
2. The swimming pool and water park are for the exclusive use of the members of Victor Gardens Community
   Association and their guests. The maximum number of guests per household is four.
   
3. The Victor Gardens Community Association, its officers, directors and agents assume no responsibility for injuries.
   
4. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
   
5. People who cannot swim must wear lifejackets while in the pool.
   
6. Diving, running, wrestling, horseplay and throwing objects are absolutely prohibited.
   
7. Showers are required before entering the pool.
   
8. Persons who have infections or communicable diseases must not enter the pool.
   
9. Infants and toddlers who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers.
   
10. Smoking is not allowed in or around the pool area along with the Activity Center.
    
11. No Food or Glass bottles are allowed in the pool area.
    
12. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the pool area.
    
13. Drunkenness is not allowed and any intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the pool area.
    
14. In order to keep the pool area pleasant for everyone, radios, tape players, CD players and other audio devices must be played only with earphones. Loudspeakers are prohibited.
    
15. Pets are not allowed in the pool area.
    
16. Pool hours are 6:00 am to 10:00 am for lap swim and 10:00 am to 9:00 pm for open swim. (during pool season)
    
17. All pool toys must be removed from the pool each night, toys left in the pool will damage the pool’s mechanical system. (No Inflatable floatation devices are allowed in the pool except water wings, life jackets or infant/small children flotation seats.)
    
18. All access to the pool area must be through the Activity Center. The gate is to be used for emergency purposes only.
    
19. Spitting, spouting water from the mouth, and blowing noses in the pool are prohibited.
    
20. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke anyone’s pool privileges for not following these pool rules.
    
21. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors may amend these pool rules at any time, without notice. You can contact Associa Minnesota for the most current and up-to-date rules.
    

These rules were adopted by the Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors

Local Business Profile : Lawn & Yard Maintenance

Brandi Werra is a friend of mine.  She's also a mom of 3 boys, volunteer leader of Hugo's Cub Scout Pack 151 and owner of a Hugo-based lawn care company. If your yard could use some professional help this season, I'd highly recommend her.  She already takes care of some Victor Gardens properties and does great work.  I asked Brandi if she had any info I could share.  Here it is:

Summer Season Lawn Care, local company.  DIRT-E GIRL Lawn Care

FREE ESTIMATES

Weekly care includes mowing, line trimming obstacles in yard and blowing off all hard surfaces.

Monthly, weekly and seasonal billing available.

5% discount for those who prepay for the season.

Other services offered, Mulch install, Garden bed clean ups, shrub trimming, Fall lawn and garden leaf clean ups.

Fully licensed and insured in MN

Call Brandi Werra at 651-238-5000
Email brandi@dirtegirl-lawn-property.com

* disclosure

Local Business Profile : Lake View Window Washing - $180 flat rate offer

Because of an accidental fall last year, Grant Dahl is no longer in the window washing business.

Victor Gardens resident, volunteer, and all-around-good-guy Tony Schwab has been speaking to a few other service providers who've done window washing in our neighborhood. Tony recommends a new window washer, and has negotiated a flat rate-price for and Victor Gardens homeowner.

Tony wrote, "I have found a great window washer after talking to a few of them with cost and performance in those conversations. His name is Jordan Hentges, he is bonded, single owner of Lake View Window Washing. Phone is (763) 439-5652 The total cost is $180.00 for any VG home no matter how many windows. He will clean inside and outside of each window, wipe each sill, dust the screens and if needed clean out the dryer vents at no extra cost. Thank You. - Tony"

Lake View Window Washing

Jordan Hentges

(763) 439-5652

Pool Access tied to Association Dues

Reminder: Victor Gardens' pool will open Memorial Day weekend. Ensure your association dues are current. Owners with delinquent accounts may find their pool access key fob restricted.