Washington County Hosts Foreclosure Workshops

According to KSTP's website: 

Behind on your mortgage? Want information on how to prevent foreclosure?

The Washington County Library and the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are offering more free workshops featuring trained foreclosure prevention counselors.

The sessions includes a 45-minute presentation about the foreclosure process and an opportunity to meet personally with counselors.

Here are upcoming sessions:
•    Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m., Hardwood Creek Branch    
•    Wednesday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m., Park Grove Branch
•    Wednesday, Feb. 22, 4 p.m., Oakdale Branch
•    Thursday, March 1, 6 p.m., R. H. Stafford Library
•    Wednesday, March 7, 6 p.m. Hardwood Creek Branch Library
•    Wednesday, March 14, 4 p.m., Park Grove Library
•    Wednesday, March 21, 4 p.m., Oakdale Library

For more information about the Washington County Library, click here or call 651-275-8500.

Master ARC Meeting set for Feb. 23, 6:30pm

The next Master ARC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:30pm at VG's Neighborhood Activity Center.  Two new single family home applications are expected to be discussed.

Let's Dish!

Are you tired of coming home after work and trying to get dinner on the table? Have you ever wanted to try "Let's Dish"?  Join your neighbors on Saturday, March 3rd at 1:00 (Woodbury location) and make 4, 8, or 12 meals to put in your freezer.  When you join our "party" you will earn a free dessert.  Everyone 12 and older is welcome to come "dish".  Space is limited to the first 20 people who register.  

To see the available menu options visit: www.letsdish.com.  We will be using the February Menu which includes some of my family's favorite meals: White chili, Jambalaya, and Chicken Parmigiana. Each meal is designed to feed about six people.  My kids are 2, 5, and 7... I can still split most meals and have enough food for my family of five for dinner.  So I typically make 12 meals but split most of them... so I come home with 18-24 meals for my family.  I pull out about 2 a week to add some variety and give myself a break in menu planning.  I've been doing it for over five years and go back every couple of months because it is go great!

To sign-up: Go to www.letsdish.com.  Choose "Sign-up On-line".  Then choose "RSVP" under "Make a Party of it".  Find the "Victor Garden's Party" listed on March 3rd.  Our password is: "Hugo".  From there choose your meals and any sides you would like.  You will need to pay by credit card on-line.  Don't forget the coupon codes!  You have the option of either a free meal (2012MEAL) or $20.12 off (2012) PLUS you get a free dessert for joining the party.

 Contact Lisa at: john3995@umn.edu or 651-646-2658 for more info.

Arts Classes Starting in February

Victor Gardens' very own Jill Whitney-Birk is kicking off new arts, dance and theatre classes with her new, non-profit arts organization in Hugo. 

Starting in early February, Arts Garden will offer diverse sessions including Monet & Impressionism, Warhol & Pop Art, and Modern Art.  Jill's also offering a variety of fiber & fabrics classes, theater classes, dance nights, silent movie screenings,  and more.

Check out their new website: ArtsGarden.org and their Upcoming Classes & Events page.

Contact Jill directly at 612.716.5054  or Jill@ArtsGarden.org for more info.

Ladies Only Dinner at Orchid

Ladies- don't forget about the ladies only dinner a week from today. On Tuesday, Jan 31st at 6:30 we are gathering at the Orchid Restaurant by the White Bear Township Theater. Come join in an evening of good food, fun conversation and hopefully some new friendships. RSVP to Dawn at: dawnlafontsee@gmail.com.

Your Input Requested: VG's Common Areas & Parks

As the Master Board begins to think about Spring landscaping projects, are there any Master Common Elements (such as the Activity Center, Flora Green, Clock Tower, Poet's Green, Victor Square, etc.) that you know of which require repairs or extra attention?  Dan from Goetz Landscape has reported on a few areas with shrubs needing replacement, retaining walls needing repairs, areas for improvement, etc.

Are there any City of Hugo-owned parks (like Victor Square Park, Arbre Park, Val Jean Park) related issues that should be addressed next spring?  These could be reported to Hugo's Public Works Director, Scott Anderson.

Since we don't have an active resident Landscape Committee to keep a close eye on these kinds of things, maybe there's something that Dan or the Master Board's members might not be aware of?

Please use the comments feature and let us know!

-Mark

Master ARC Meeting Rescheduled Tues, Jan 24, 6:30pm at Hugo City Hall

The next meeting of Victor Gardens Community Association (Master) Architectural Review Committee has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 24 6:30pm at Hugo City Hall, 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North, Hugo.

The ARC will discuss concepts for new homes with Tim Whitten, an architect working with builder D.R. Horton. The ARC will also continue its work developing installation guidelines for satellite dish antenae and review a new home plan submitted by The Nest/Modern Bungalow Company LLC.

The Jardin Fountain Needs Someone Next Summer

Beginning last summer, maintenance of the Jardin Fountain was turned over to a professional fountain maintenance company.  Prior to that, ad hoc maintenance had been carried out by a mix of contractors and residents.  Unfortunately, the company the Master Association hired last year wasn't able to keep up with chronic algae growth and clean-up problems.  To address the problems for next year, Dan D. offered to keep an eye on the fountain and report it's condition to our Community Manager once a week.  That way, there would be a little more oversight on this Master Association amenity.  Algae and dirty fountain problems could be reported and resolved before they became major problems.

Unfortunately, Dan has sold their home and is no longer living in the neighborhood. He won't be able to report on the fountain's weekly or bi-weekly status next spring/summer season.

We're looking for one or two volunteers who, next spring, could regularly inform our Community Manager Kari Miller on the condition of the Jardin Fountain.  This could be as simple as sending one email a week or so to Kari.

Can you help?

Please let Kari Miller or I know if you're interested.  Thanks!

- Mark

Flag Poles Removed

As the Master Board was in the final stages of reviewing electrical lighting bids for the three flag poles near the Clock Tower, the poles were removed.  The flag poles were leased to Rottlund Homes and have been collected by the company that leased them.

Share Your Opinion - Ideas Wanted

I'd like to hear your opinion on a few things.  Please click the "comments" link following this text to share your opinion. Anonymous comments are allowed.*

Recently, the Master Board briefly considered a few interesting ideas for the Master Association's Common Area landscaping.  One simple suggestion offered by VG's landscape vendor, Goetz Landscape, was to unify mulch colors used in future Common Area landscaping work.  As it is now, there's a patchwork of different color mulches found throughout the Master Association's and some of VG's Sub-Association's Common Areas.  It's a simple idea to unify our neighborhood's appearance.

Other interesting ideas have been entertained in the past too. These ideas have included installing "Victor Gardens" signage to our neighborhood entrances, adding adult-only swim hours, fixing up the small vacant lot near the Activity Center, building another playground near VG's North and North West Villages, etc.

What sort of ideas would you like to see carried forward?  How would you propose they might be planned?

In the past, the Master Board had asked (unsuccessfully) for various committee volunteers. Perhaps that effort was a bit premature though.  So, in the spirit of progress, I'd like to hear your ideas that would improve our neighborhood.  It's a start.  Thanks!

- Mark

* Please ensure your comments are constructive. 

Your Comments Are Encouraged

Anonymous comments are now allowed on this website. I've decided to turn off comment log-in requirements in the hopes of encouraging more reader participation. 

Although the Victor Gardens News website, VG News Facebook page, and associated email lists are not "official", many of our neighborhood's board and committee members read them.

I hope we can use these comments to connect with each other and improve our community.  Enjoy!

- Mark

Special Offer for VG Residents - Anytime Fitness - Local Business Profile

Ryan Manning of Anytime Fitness, and Dr. Erik Carlson of HealthSource introduced themselves and their companies to the Master Board at it's meeting last week.  Both companies' services complement each other.  Starting this month, they're offering discounts for Victor Gardens residents. 

"Anytime Fitness just recently opened their newest location in Hugo. Located in the old Sertino's Coffee site, Anytime Fitness is a premier 24hour fitness facility.  Members get full 24 hour access to over 1800 clubs. The Victor Gardens Community Association has welcomed Anytime Fitness to the neighborhood. 
Anytime Fitness is offering a 15% discount to all Victor Gardens residents.  Simply present a valid ID for proof of residence and receive 15% off your membership dues.  If you haven't had a chance, stop on by and check it out.  The facility really turned out nice and the equipment is fantastic!"
- Ryan Manning

Anytime Fitness
14643 Mercantile Dr. N
Hugo, MN 55038
(651) 429-2188
hugo@anytimefitness.com

Disclosure