Where Did I Leave That Pool Key?

Don't wait until Memorial Day to look for your electronic pool key fob.  If you can't find yours, a replacement may be available through our Community Manager, Jennifer Campbell.  Be prepared to pay for it though...  they're not cheap to replace.

Victor Gardens Pool will be opening Memorial Day Weekend, May 24

Our Victor Gardens pool is restricted to residents and their guests only. Admission is by an issued electronic key fob. Residents must accompany their guests. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the pool opens for "lap" swimming at 6:00 am, "open" swimming at 10:00 am and closes every night at 9:00 pm. No lifeguard is on duty.

Neighborhood Activity Center & Pool Rules – 

Updated 2012

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 9:00 pm. (during pool season) Lap Swim: 6:00 am to 10:00 am, Open Swim: 10:00 am to 9:00pm
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 flotation 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 Community Development for the most current and up-to-date rules.

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

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

Key fob and facility access questions should be directed to VG's Community Manager, Jennifer Campbell at (763) 225-6424 or jcampbell@developcommunity.com

ARC Meeting on May 14

The Master ARC will be meeting with five different builders/owners on May 14.  The ARC will be holding a few Concept Review discussions, a few Architectural Applications, and one Change Application.  The meeting starts at 6:30 at Victor Gardens' Neighborhood Activity Center.  Homeowners are welcome to attend.

Utility Box Needs Repair

The sinking utility box near VG's Neighborhood Activity Center has been reported to Xcel Energy.  They're sending a crew out in the next 5-10 days to evaluate (and hopefully correct) the problem.

New Pool Heater - No More Chilly Swims

As many reported last season, the pool wasn't very warm.  The problem was identified and a new pool heater was installed and has tested well.  Jennifer Campbell will meet with the pool maintenance company on May 15, to ensure it's ready to go on opening day; May 24^th.

Clock Tower - Broken Clock to be Replaced with VG Sign

The Master Board voted this week to accept a bid to remove the non-working clock in the tower and replace it with a "VG" logo sign.

Beavers

Jennifer Campbell reports that the Beaver Wrangler Jeff started this week and will keep her apprised of any activity.

$40 Spring De-Thatching/Raking Service

Bud Schneider is offering discounted machine de-thatching/raking services again this spring.  Tony Schwab has negotiated group rate pricing with Bud.  The cost is the same this year as in previous years: $40 per yard. 

Many residents have been hiring Bud Schneider for the last few years and he's done a great job.  Sure beats raking by hand!
 
Please contact Bud Schneider at (651) 429-6896.

Disclosure Statement

Quality Window Cleaning - Flat Rate Offer for Residents

Quality Window Cleaning is offering a special $175 flat-rate for Victor Gardens Single Family Village residents. This price includes cleaning all windows, screens and doors inside and outside. This is the same company Tony Schwab has recommended for a number of years, and reports of their work were very positive. Please contact Grant Dahl at (763) 656-8519.

Similar flat-rate discounts were offered last year for Condo residents.  Last year's $100 Condo price included cleaning all windows, screens, and doors inside and outside.   This offer extended to the Villas, Gables, North & South Village, etc...  

Please contact Grant Dahl at (763) 656-8519 for more info.

Lawn Care - Irrigation Start-Up $60 - Local Business Profile

Again this spring, Shawn Herman, of Classic Lawnscape is offering residents group rates for irrigation start-up services.  

For $60 per yard*, Shawn will:

• Start up your system
• Check your irrigation controller
• Check all sprinkler zones
• Adjust sprinklker heads as necessary

* This flat-rate offer good for start-up of between 1 and 8 zones.  A few residents may have a few more zones, requiring more time.  Contact Shawn for pricing on those additional zones.

When you set up your appointment, make sure that Shawn has access to your irrigation controller to start-up the system.  The controller box may be in your garage or basement.

If he finds any problems requiring repairs, Shawn will inform you.  He charges $65/hr for repair work plus the cost of materials.  Of course, he'll OK all potential fixes with you first. 

Shawn is well known in the neighborhood for the quality work he does blowing-out and winterizing many of our sprinkler systems.  It's not unusual for Shawn to do this service for more than 30 of our neighbors.  He's top notch.  I've even called him in the dead of winter for advice- after a friend's sprinkler system filled with water and froze up.

Contact Shawn at (612) 366-6088 for details and scheduling.

Disclosure Statement

Olive Branch Adult Night Out

Date: Thursday, May 23rd from 7-9pm

Place: The Olive Branch in White Bear Lake. 2202 5th St #20, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 653-2207

Details: The Olive Branch is an oil, spice, and vinegar shop.  Come sample their products and enjoy an evening visiting with neighbors.  Cost is $10 per person for appetizers and drinks. The first 20 people to RSVP will get free admission.  Please RSVP to Laura at: lmforsyth@msn.com by Monday, May 20th.  

http://www.theolivebranchmn.com/home.php

Victor Gardens Spring Movie Night - May 18 - Here Comes the Boom

Victor Gardens next Movie in the Park is scheduled for sunset, May 18 at Val Jean Park. Bring along your lawn chairs and blankets. During the movie, snacks and lemonade will be provided by The Nest, a local home builder in Victor Gardens. Bring the family to The Nest's model home prior to the movie (around 6:30pm) for a beverage and check out their soon-to-be-built home plans. All are welcome! RSVP to hello@thenestcommunity.com

The movie we'll be showing is "Here Comes the Boom", Starring Kevin James & Salma Hayek, Rated PG. A high school biology teacher looks to become a successful mixed-martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to prevent extra-curricular activities from being axed at his cash-strapped school.

In case of questionable weather, please check victorgardensnews.org for updates.

"My enemy, my foe, is an animal. In order to conquer the animal, I have to learn to think like an animal." - Carl Spackler

As you may have surmised by my numerous beaver-related posts over the years, VG's beaver situation is an ongoing battle. From what we've heard before, there are multiple beavers in the area that have been causing damage.

As we've already discussed, in Minnesota, there apparently is a beaver trapping season and there's an off season. Prior to last fall's season opener, a trapper that VG hired caught a number of beavers here in the off-season. Once the beaver season started, however, the trapper left for better hunting elsewhere.

The Rice Creek Watershed District as well as the City of Hugo was in the neighborhood reviewing the beaver situation and they determined there is definite beaver activity within the storm ponds and around the common areas of the Association near buildings. 

Last week, our Community Manager Jennifer Campbell updated the Master Board with some new information. After a unanimous vote, an off-season a "Beaver Wrangler" was hired to eliminate the remaining beavers.

If you notice any new damage, please contact our Community Manager, Jennifer Campbell: jcampbell@developcommunity.com   Give her as much detail as possible including your address and sub-association.