Last Chance for Discounted Sprinkler Blow-out - $50

$50 Sprinkler Blow-Out

Today and tomorrow, Shawn Herman, of Classic Lawnscape Inc., offering discounted services for VG residents.  Each year, Shawn offers a Victor Gardens resident discount to perform seasonal blowing out and shut-down of individual sprinkler systems. He always does a thorough and professional job.

Shawn's price for blowing-out sprinklers today (Saturday, October 20) and tomorrow (Sunday, October 21) is $50.00 per home.

Please contact Shawn Herman directly at (612) 366-6088 or shawn@classiclawnscape.com

*Disclosure

Fall Inspection Guide & Checklist - From This Old House

Giving your house a yearly checkup is one way to keep big repairs at bay. Here's a 5-step plan for inspecting your home, from the pros at This Old House.

Here's a printable yearly home inspection checklist.

Former Land Office Site - Update

For years, the small parcel adjacent to Victor Gardens' Activity Center & Pool parking lot has been a source of frustration for many of our residents.  Many of us remember the Victor Gardens Land Office that once stood there. It's trees, roses, pond and fountain were a nice addition to the neighborhood and in a prime location.  

Even before the Developer turned over the master and sub-associations to the owners, there was talk about the great potential of that site.  I remember meetings in which a number of interesting ideas were floated.  They included, a formal french-style ornamental garden, a vegetable garden, a small park, a playground, etc.  There were a number of combinations of possibilities for that spot.  

Former land office site is part of a larger parcel
 owned by Victor Gardens' Master Assn.

Recently, one of our residents asked the Board a question about an auction that she had seen listed in the newspaper.  She, and I believed it was an auction for that former land office site.  In hindsight, we now know that the auction was for a different parcel in a different location.  With the Board's interest peaked on the land office site, Gary Sykes (of the North Village) and Josh Berger (who represents the SFV) did some more checking.  Ultimately, the City of Hugo informed Josh that the site was never subdivided.  We all were under the impression that the small property was owned by a bank.  As it turns out though, the site was owned by Victor Gardens Community Association (the Master Assn) all along.   It was part of the same parcel that contains the Activity Center, pool and pond.

Now that the question of ownership is finally settled, Victor Gardens' Long Term Planning Committee will be taking a closer look at the possibilities for this property.

VG's Long Term Planning Committee Begins

A few months ago, Victor Gardens Community Association (The Master Association) formed a Long Term Planning Committee (LTPC) to assist with a number of ideas. These now include: 

• Installing irrigation and sod on the boulevards between the Ryland-built homes in the Single Family Village and the Creek Side Village. 
• Developing and installing a landscaping plan for the Everton Ave. Bridge that connects the Single Family Village and the Creek Side Village.
• Re-visiting the idea of installing Victor Gardens monument signage at our neighborhood's entrances.
• Developing concepts towards developing the former land office site into a neighborhood amenity.  (Not a new residential or commercial building).

The LTPC is just starting out, and they have a number of interesting projects to consider.  If you're interested in volunteering for this committee and shaping the future of Victor Gardens, please contact Victor Gardens LTPC Chair Dawn LaFontsee at dawnlafontsee@gmail.com .

New Model Home Approved

Colfax Companies and Architect Tim Whitten have received the ARC's approval to build a new Arts & Crafts style home at 14254 Val Jean Blvd. This lot is across from Val Jean Park's tennis court.  Colfax is eager to get started right away.  The home is intended to be a model home for Colfax.

ARC Meeting Rescheduled to Monday

Due to members' scheduling conflicts, Tuesday evening's ARC meeting has been cancelled.

The meeting has been rescheduled for this coming Monday, Oct. 15, 6:30pm at Victor Gardens Neighborhood Activity Center.  Homeowners are welcome to attend these open meetings.

Beaver Damage Update

I'm sure many of you are noticing the beaver damage almost daily around our neighborhood.  The Master Association and Kari Miller have been working closely with Tom Schmidt from the Rice Creek Watershed District to resolve this problem.  Sounds like beaver trapping season doesn't officially start until 10/27/12, but Tom has applied for a special permit from the DNR which has been approved so likely he will be out early next week to assess the situation and hire a trapper.  Let's hope he gets them all so we can save our trees from ruin!

If you see any additional beaver damage or spot any dam building by the beavers, please call Tom Schmidt (763-398-3076) and/or Kari Miller to report it.

Beavers

A number of residents have reported many cases of new beaver damage.  Our Community Manager, Kari Miller has been in contact with the Rice Creek Watershed District with limited success.  

To report Beaver damage, call 
Rice Creek Watershed District - (763) 398-3070
Tom Schmidt - 763-398-3076

Thanks La Vonne!

Earlier this week, La Vonne Fitzgerald informed the Master Board that she was resigning her position.  For the last few years, she's served as the Master Association's Board President.

I've worked closely with La Vonne for many years, even before the Developer turned over control to owners. We've all benefitted from the many contributions she's made to our neighborhood. As one of Victor Gardens' early "pioneers", she's donated countless volunteer hours ably representing her Villas sub-association and our Master association. She was a strong advocate and our community's voice at City Hall. 

In recent years, I valued the time I spent spent collaborating with her and the other volunteers on the Board and the ARC.  Her help with many of those tricky issues was particularly valuable to all of us at a crucial time in Victor Gardens development.

La Vonne embodied this neighborhood's original vision of a close-knit neighborhood of people with community spirit. She fully understood the uniqueness of this place, and worked to improve and protect it.  

Thanks La Vonne for all your efforts.  We wish you all the best in the future!

-Mark

Lawn Care - $50 Sprinkler Blow Out & Winterization

$50 Sprinkler Blow-Out

Shawn Herman, of Classic Lawnscape Inc., is again offering discounted services for VG residents.  Shawn offers a Victor Gardens resident discount to perform seasonal blowing out and shut-down of individual sprinkler systems. Shawn's offered this service for the last few years. He always does a thorough and professional job.

Shawn's price for blowing-out sprinklers is again $50.00 per home. He plans on performing the work on Saturday, October 20nd and Sunday, October 21st.

If you'd like to sign-up for this service, please contact Shawn Herman directly at (612) 366-6088 or shawn@classiclawnscape.com

*Disclosure

Local Organization Profile - Arts Garden

Many of you know Victor Gardens own Jill Whitney-Birk as the co-founder of Hugo's Arts Garden.  Here's a recent profile written for The Citizen.   Keep up the great work Jill!

Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off in Hugo, Sat., Sept. 29

Washington County residents can drop off their household hazardous waste in Hugo later this month.

The next collection date is from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Hugo Public Works Garage. Residents can drop off household hazardous waste, electronics and recyclables.

If residents can’t make that date, they can also drop off waste at the Washington County Environmental Center in Woodbury all year round. It’s open from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

According to KSTP.com