Announcing VG Neighborhood Yard Sale

It's that time of year again to start your spring cleaning and get your items ready for the annual Victor Gardens Neighborhood Sale!!!

Sale will be advertised in local papers and online (Facebook, Craigslist, etc...) for the following dates/times: May 20, 21 and 22nd from 8:30A-4P.

Feel free to open your garages during all or part of these hours. The sale will be advertised during these times but we'll leave it up to each homeowner to decide how many days/hours they want to participate, if at all. We hope this flexibility will entice more neighbors to participate--even if it's just for a few hours one day. This is a great way to get rid of unwanted items and to also shop neighbors sales for great deals!

There are no costs for the homeowner to participate...The signage and ad costs will be paid by the VG events committee...All you have to do is gather your items and open your garage door! In an effort to navigate traffic through the neighborhood sales, feel free to tie a red balloon or red balloons to your garage or tree by your driveway. Also, let Erin Yoshida know if you're planning to participate and she can make sure to navigate shoppers your way! A special thanks to Erin Yoshida for organizing the event again this year. Please email Erin with any questions @ kjetyoshi1@comcast.net.

We'll do a few signs but it's up to individual homeowners to do their own signage directing people to their homes.

Discount Window Washing - $175 per SFV home - Local Business Profile

A message was sent to me by our neighbor Tony Schwab about discounted window washing again this year. Quality Window Cleaning is offering a special flat-rate for Victor Gardens Single Family Village residents. The $175.00 price includes cleaning all windows and doors inside and outside. This is the same company Tony recommended last year, and reports of their work were very positive. Please contact Grant Dahl at (763) 656-8519 or call Tony at (651) 429-2000.

Tony's also in the process of coordinating yard thatching and irrigation start-up discounts with other contractors. I'll post those when they are available.

Note: This post is a public service for Victor Gardens residents. No compensation was asked for or given for this post

UPDATE 5/6/10: Quality Window Washing is offering all town home & condo residents a similar special flat-rate for Victor Gardens residents. The $100.00 + tax price includes cleaning all windows and doors inside and outside. This offer extends to the Villas, Gables, North & South Village, etc... Please contact Grant Dahl at (763) 656-8519 for more info.

Sewer service will cost $20/year more

According to the White Bear Press, "sewer rates are going up $5 per quarter for every household, or $20 per year, effective immediately." Read more at White Bear Press website...

Single Family Village Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner's Association will be held on April 28, 2010 - 7:00PM at Hugo's Rice Lake Park Centre. 6900 137th St. N., Hugo, MN 55038 (map) More information about this important meeting will be announced soon. All residents should plan to attend. Please mark your calendars.

Weavers Featured in the Parade of Homes Guide

Our newest neighbors Rob and Alisha Weaver are featured in the 2010 Spring Parade of Homes Guide cover story. Their house, across from Val Jean Park, was completed last fall and built by Hartman Homes. Hartman has built many homes here in Victor Gardens and Inspiration, Bayport. Check out the story here or visit paradeofhomes.org

Alterations of your Home's Exterior & Landscape Requires ARC Approval

Spring is around the corner! You may be thinking of making some alterations or improvements to the exterior of your home or perhaps your yard. If you plan on doing so, please read through the newly revised Architectural & Landscape Change Application Guide. It describes some of the projects that require an application and some that don't.

Now is the perfect time to start planning landscape improvements, new decks, and other exterior projects. Designers generally encourage planning mid-winter before the Spring rush. Submitting your applications prior to the ARC's peak season will also ensure that you'll have the approvals you need when you're ready to start your projects.

Download & Print: Architectural & Landscape Change Application Guide & Form

SFV Board Meeting planned for Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00PM

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner's Association Board is meeting on Wednesday, February 17 at the Sertino's Cafe. The meeting will start at 7:00pm. This and other future events are posted on the new neighborhood calendar. The agenda is available here. Residents are encouraged to attend, and address the Board with any concerns during the meetings Resident Forum. Minutes for the latest SFV Board/ARC, Master ARC, and Master Board meetings were recently posted within Association Info pages within victorgardensnews.org

Master ARC Meeting set for Wednesday, March 10, 6:00pm

Victor Gardens Community Association's (Master) Architectural Review Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 10 at Sertino's Cafe in Hugo. The meeting will start at 6:00pm. Past Agendas and Minutes are posted within the Master Association Info page.

Snow Removal Update

After noticing damage caused by sidewalk snowplowing, a few residents contacted Community Manager, Casey Groff. One of the residents included me in his correspondence and wrote, "[Contractors] are continuing to use a plow that is significantly wider than our sidewalks (by 1-2 feet it appears), and the result is significant grass damage and shrub damage (see attached photos) and potentially sprinkler head damage. I took pictures of my property as well as my two neighbors to the west. Also, I believe [another resident] spoke with you last week regarding damage to a larger tree limb on his boulevard..."

Casey confirmed the damage afterwards during a site inspection. She included me in her email response, "Thank you for your email and photos. I was out on site yesterday and met with Dan with Goetz to look at and discuss the damage throughout the property and the plan for replacement of sod in early spring. I am confident that Dan and the Principal of Goetz (who later arrived on site) understand their responsibility for repairing damage caused by them, per the Contract between Goetz and the Association. Community Development will hold the last payment until all of the damaged turf is replaced. Payment will not be released until an inspection by me (and the Board if it wants to be present) is performed."

She reported yesterday, February 1st, that Goetz "... did agree that the sidewalks are being plowed too wide. They are purchasing smaller width brackets with narrower tires and rims for the bobcats."

Keep Victor Gardens Looking Great!

Victor Gardens' new Landscape Committee is signing up volunteers! Whether you're an experienced gardener or a novice who's inspired to make their neighborhood look its best- We need your help! Tony Schwab Chairs the committee, and he's already planning activities for the spring warm-up. He has some great ideas, but he needs your help too!

The Landscape Committee will be involved in a variety of projects this year, and may also help plan the next phase of landscape improvements begun in 2009. Goetz Landscape significantly improved the planting areas near Victor Gardens main entrances last year, including renovation of the flower beds on the North and South sides of Victor Gardens main entrance at Frenchman Road. New areas were also planted with annuals and perennials at the Everton Ave. entrance. We'd like to build on that success, maintain those areas, and identify other areas to improve this Spring/Summer. The Board is committed to maintain areas that needed more attention last year, particularly around the Victor Square Pond and other common spaces.

The Landscape Committee will be a big part of keeping Victor Gardens looking great! For more info, please see this post on our resident website.

We're signing up volunteers starting today. Please see the downloadable sign-up sheet and contact Community Manager, Casey Groff, or Tony Schwab for more information. Thanks!

2nd Annual Sledding Party on February 6, 2-4pm

The Hugo Parks Commission is proud to host the 2nd annual Sledding Party at Hugo's Oakshore Park! Enjoy winter family fun with your friends and neighbors. Hot chocolate, beverages and snacks will be provided. This all-ages event is FREE!

Look under "Resident Info" for more information of PArks and Recreation at http://www.ci.hugo.mn.us Check out the website for other fun winter events hosted by the Parks Commission.

Oakshore Park is located at 12790 Exhall Ave. North, Hugo.

Saturday, February 6

2-4pm

(This info provided by the City of Hugo)

Mitzuk Family Fund Established

A fund for the Mitzuk Family has been set up at Lake Area Bank. Donations can be dropped off at any branch or can be mailed to the Mitzuk Family Fund, Lake Area Bank, 14602 Everton Ave. N., Hugo, MN 55038. Checks should be made out to the "Mitzuk Family Fund."