Empowered Parenting

Empowered Parenting presented by Jamie Waldvogel, MS, BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Owner, Behave Your Best, LLC

Our most important role as parents is to teach our children all about the world around them.  Capitalizing on the power of positive reinforcements can help prevent behavioral challenges and can turn even the most challenging moments into teachable moments.  Come to this seminar to learn more about reinforcement and how to incorporate it into your interactions with your child to make your job of being a parent less stressful and more enjoyable, while maximizing teaching moments.  

Cost is $10 per person or $15 per family

Thursday, April 11th 6:15-7:45pm

KinderGardens, 14665 Mercantile Drive N Hugo, MN 55038

Sign-up Sheet located at KinderGardens Front Desk.

www.behaveyourbest.com

Disclosure Statement

Local Business Profile: LCS Lawn Service

LCS Lawn Service has been in business since 1994.  They have established themselves as one of the top rated lawn care and tree care services in the Twin Cities earning top recognition from Checkbook Magazine and multiple Angie's List awards.  They provide organic based fertilization programs, mowing service, tree and shrub care as well as snow removal.  You can learn more about them, or request an estimate on their website www.lcslawn.com or by phone at (651) 731-5296.

- provided by Bill Sarafolean, LCS Lawn Service

Disclosure Statement

Kari Miller Resigns

Kari Miller, our long time Victor Gardens Community Manager has resigned.

Melinda Johnson, Director of Community Management from Community Development Inc. informed the Board today:

"...  We are very sad to announce that Kari Miller has given her notice and will be exploring a new career.  Kari’s last day with Community Development, Inc. will be this Friday, March 15th.  We are very happy for Kari in her new ventures but know that her talents and customer service will be missed! 

I am excited to announce that Jennifer Campbell, a current Senior Community Manager with CDI is excited to move into the role of Community  Manager with the entire Community of Victor Gardens.   Jennifer has been with Community Development, Inc. for 6 years and is a valuable team member and very knowledgeable in the field...."

Overview of Last Night's SFV Annual Meeting

Thanks to everyone who attended Victor Gardens Single Family Village's Annual Meeting last night, or turned in their Proxies.  

There was a lot of good news to share.  The Board described some of what's been happening over the last year, our association's excellent financial condition, and some ideas for the next year.  Volunteers continue to make the Victor Gardens a great community to live in.  Here are a few of the evenings highlights:

• Julie kicked off the meeting as our President. She thanked everyone in attendance and those who sent their Proxies.  
• Social Events: Kelly and Lisa reported on last year's successful programs.  They and the Social Events volunteers are planning to build on that success and expand into some interesting activities this coming year.  Some have just been added to the calendar. Residents are encouraged to help out if they can. Joining the Committee is not required, any help is appreciated. Contact Lisa and Kelly.
• Long Range Planning Committee: Mark described what the volunteers have been working on, and encouraged everyone to complete their surveys soon.
• New Home Building: Terry, Josh and Mark described what's been happening with new home construction in the SFV over the last year and projections for next year.  The Master ARC has been very active reviewing new home application recently and expects more soon.  Residents are always welcome to attend Master ARC meetings.  Check the calendar for dates.
• Financials: John described our association's good financial situation, next year's budget, and the Board's efforts to keep costs down and dues level. 
• Dues: John described the best way to ensure dues were paid on-time:  Automatic-electronic payments.  Contact Kari Miller to sign up.
• ARC: A new Architectural & Landscape Change Application form was recently developed to improve the review process. As an integral companion to the new form, the SFV ARC page received a major overhaul in the last two weeks.  It now describes exactly what the ARC requires for many popular alterations/improvement proposals.  If  residents follow the requirements on that page and submit via email, the ARC should be able to respond quickly.  Mailed submissions will take significantly longer.  Residents are encouraged to plan ahead, especially with compliated projects like decks, landscape changes, etc. Our Community Manager will return submissions that are incomplete or don't follow the submission guidelines found on the SFV ARC page.
• Other news:
• Josh & Mark briefly described the differences between our sub-association and the master association, and the differences between the Master ARC and the SFV ARC.
• Julie talked about the pool, activity center, and the improvements made to both.  The Master Board will revoke pool privileges for those who allow others to enter with their keys.  (This happened a few times last year).  Enjoy the pool with common sense. Report unauthorized pool access to Washington County Sheriff's non- emergency number: (651) 439-9381.
• Mark described a few of the potential new landscaping projects that the Master Board may begin this summer, the landscaping that volunteers installed at Val Jean Park last summer, and the various improvements made to our parks and common areas.
• Mark described his effort with Connexus to provide power to Grantaire Green. Hopefully it will be completed before next holiday lighting season.
• Julie announced that all questions regarding dues, maintenance issues, broken sprinklers, etc., should be reported to our Community Manager Kari Miller.
• Roger described the efforts of an ice rink exploratory committee.  They're working towards bringing a community spirit back to our parks that's often lacking in winter. A number of residents have been working towards finding aesthetically attractive, low profile solutions that fit within our communities' standards. Everyone who expressed opinions online or via email were invited to the committee's meetings, including those who expressed concerns, or were against the idea. The committee's work continues and they hope to have a rink approved and in place next winter.
• Terry described his role in the remaining homesites within the SFV.  He's working with Colfax Companies in their effort to build new custom homes, including the new home near the tennis court.  This home will be Colfax's first model home in Hugo.  Terry's lots are also available to other builders, including The Nest , Homes by James, and others.
• Resident Forum: Q&A:  There were a few questions that residents asked about.  Here's a brief summary/response:
• Flickering and dead street lights should be reported to Connexus Energy via this link.
• Snow plowing issues should be reported to our Community Manager, Kari Miller
• Beavers and Beaver damage should be reported to Kari Miller.
• Residents may request Kari Miller arrange a meeting or a phone call with the SFV ARC.  Prior to that though, residents should familiarize themselves with the relevant submission requirements, found on the SFV ARC page and the new Application Form.
• Elections:
• John and Mark were the only residents nominated and were unanimously re-elected. 
• The SFV's Board Positions are 
• Julie, President
• Josh, Vice President
• John, Treasurer
• Mark, Secretary
• Terry, Member-at-Large
• The Board has selected Josh and Mark as its two representatives on the Master Board.

Landscape Design Show at Bachman's Lyndale - Saturday, March 9

Saturday, March 9, 2013 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bachman's on Lyndale 
Cost: Free and open to the public

Calling all Twin Cities' homeowners! Join Bachman's Landscaping and our partners for an inspiring and informative day about landscaping. 

About the Show 
Learn how to improve the quality and value of your lawn and garden with landscaping at our design show. It's free to attend, but the ideas and information are priceless! 

Join us for: 

	Landscape Seminars: Learn from landscaping experts! Get great ideas for your landscape from Bachman’s professional landscape designers and our trusted vendor partners. See the schedule below for seminar details.
	Designer Presentations & Conversations: Get up close and personal advice and examples from Bachman’s award-winning landscape designers. Pairs of designers will showcase their projects continuously throughout the day. Each informal presentation will provide ample opportunity for you to discuss your personal landscape questions with the designers.
	Vendor Demonstrations: Our best vendor partners will be on-site to demonstrate the latest and greatest landscape products and services. From Rainbow Tree Care to Weber Grills and Anchor Block to TouchStone Lighting, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about everything you need to complete you dream landscape project.
	Design Displays: Visit our indoor Patio Ideas Center to get a first-hand look at how professional landscape design and quality hardscape products come together to create amazing patios.
	Refreshments: Enjoy snacks and beverages as you digest all of the amazing landscape ideas and information gathered from our show!

Seminar Schedule
All landscaping design seminars are free to attend in our Heritage Room. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. (150 capacity.)

9:30 a.m.	Award Winning Patios, Pools & Ponds Get inspired as Bachman's Landscape Designer, Daryl Melquist, shows dozens of his best projects and describes the logic and materials that went into each design. Daryl has designed residential landscapes for more than 30 years. Exceptionally skilled with designing outdoor spaces that are functional and visually inviting, he expresses his artistic talent with outstanding combinations of plants, stone and brick.
10:30 a.m.	Special Spaces: Outdoor Kitchens & Other Outdoor Rooms Learn all about outdoor rooms from Bachman's Landscape Designer, Alyson Landmark. See photos of a recent outdoor kitchen project and several other outdoor rooms designed by Alyson as she explains how these fantastic projects took shape. Alyson uses a careful step-by-step process to take an outdoor space from concept to detailed plan.
11:30 a.m.	New Options for Fire in Your Landscape  In addition to being a great space for entertaining, fire pits and fireplaces add drama and an extra element of beauty to your yard. Lately, some cities have begun regulating wood fires in the landscape due to smoke concerns. In response, landscape designers have turned to gas fire features. In this session, Bachman's Landscape Designers Steve Gorman and John Stadelman will share some of our best fire projects along with new developments in gas fire features.
12:30 p.m.	High Fashion. Low Maintenance Paving Systems Learn why Anchor’s signature manufacturing process creates the most durable and beautiful paving systems. Anchor Product Specialists, Angela Prenzlow and Gene Karjala, will show the newest pavers developed by Anchor and explain why they’re the best on the market.
1:30 p.m.	LED Lighting: A Green Solution for Beautiful Landscapes From security to curb appeal, LED lights are an energy efficient solution for lighting the landscape. Learn the many advantages of LED as Touchstone Lighting's owners, Mark and Lisa Hanson, showcase the newest, low-energy LED lights for landscaping.
2:30 p.m.	Emerald Ash Borer Eastern cities are struggling with the expense and disappointment of losing thousands of mature Ash trees. ISA Certified Arborist, Jen Morgan, will explain how this pest is appearing in the Twin Cities and what homeowners can do to protect their trees.
3:30 p.m.	Decorating the Outdoor Room  Learn how usual and unusual accessories can transform an average outdoor space into an exciting entertaining area you'll love! Lesli Rauch, Bachman's head of merchandising, will showcase great ideas for decorating your outdoor room.

Please Return Your Proxy - Weather May Impact Annual Meeting Attendance

Victor Gardens Single Family Meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, March 5, 7:00PM at Hugo City Hall

As of now, Tuesday's expected snowy weather's looking it might be a challenge for many.  

It's very important that if for any reason you're not able to attend the meeting, please complete and return your Proxy.

The form lists VG SFV's management company's address as the recipient. Kari Miller is our Community Manager.  To increase the chances that your proxy reaches the right people, at this point please email your proxies to both Kari Miller kmiller@developcommunity.com and to mark@victorgardensnews.org

Here's a link to download and print the Proxy: http://www.victorgardensnews.org/files/documents/vgsfv_annual_mtg_proxy_2013.pdf

We hope to see you at Tuesday's meeting, but if you can't make it please send in your Proxy.

Thanks!

Mark

SFV Annual Meeting THIS Tuesday, March 5th

As a reminder, SFV residents are encouraged to attend the SFV Annual Meeting.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5th at Hugo City Hall in the Oneka Room (14669 Fitzgerald Ave N.).  The meeting will begin at 7P and our goal is to wrap up by 8:30, if not before. 

Everyone should have received their annual documents in the mail from Community Development. 

Hope to see many of you there!

Time's Running Out For Tree Pruning

You may have noticed around the neighborhood that Goetz Landscape has completed their dormant season boulevard tree pruning work.  A number of residents have also pruned their own trees.   

Time's running out for the best pruning time of year.  If you haven't already started, there's still a little time before the buds break and trees come out of dormancy.

Please read this post for more info: City Requests Boulevard Tree Pruning

Egg Hunt Info and volunteer opportunities!

We need about a dozen volunteers (kids, teens or adults) to help stuff eggs for the Easter egg hunt.  We will meet at the activity center at 6:30 on Monday, March 18th.  We would love to have you join us!  Please e-mail Lisa at john3995@umn.edu if you are planning to attend- we want to make sure that we have enough volunteers!  

If you are unable to stuff eggs but would still like to help we need 3 or 4 adult volunteers to help "hide" eggs on Sat, March 23rd at 3:30 before the egg hunt.  Again, please let Lisa know.  Thank you!!!

And the big event... the Egg hunt will be held at Arbre Park at 4:00 on Sat, March 23rd.  It will start promptly at 4:00... don't be late! New this year- following the egg hunt there will be a petting zoo with goats, chickens, bunnies and more.  The petting zoo will run from 4:15-5:15.  Please be patient as we will have to send the children in groups. Don't worry- everyone will get a turn!

Master Assn. Landscape Improvements Continue

A few weeks ago, a few of the Master Board's members got together again with Goetz Landscape for a progress update in the effort to continue VG's landscape improvements.  This has been an ongoing effort over the last few years.

One of the areas that's been talked about for awhile is the Everton Ave. Bridge that connects the SFV to Pratt's Creek Side Villas.  Starting last fall the Master Board Members, along with Pratt Homes, Kari Miller, and Dan Steuernagel of Goetz Landscape, and the City of Hugo have explored ways of getting irrigation to both sides of that bridge and planting all four corners. That plan is now in place and a Goetz landscape design complementing those found elsewhere in the community is planned for installation this summer.

Among other things the group discussed were similar improvements to the Val Jean Blvd. Bridge that crosses Clearwater Creek (near Grantaire Lane.) Ensuring that the Clock Tower's urns are planted, and adding sapling trees to some of VG's areas.

New SFV Architectural & Landscape Change Application Form & Guide

Spring is around the corner!  
This is the time of year that many begin thinking of making alterations/improvements to their home's exterior or yard. If you plan on doing so, please familiarize yourself with the newly updated SFV ARC page.  It contains helpful planning information and lists exactly what's required in your submission. It also contains the names of contractors who have experience designing and building in our neighborhood. 

An improved Architectural & Landscape Change Application is also now available. Residents who complete the form and submit all of the required elements via email can expect to hear back from the ARC within two weeks.  Incomplete proposals- like those that aren't clearly described, don't contain the required photos, drawings, surveys, color info. etc, will be returned.

• SFV ARC page  NEW! 
• Guide to Submitting Architectural & Landscape Change Applications  NEW!
• Architectural & Landscape Change Application Form  NEW!

Social Committee Meeting - March 13

Do you enjoy our neighborhood events? Do you have great ideas for new events? Are you willing to volunteer? The social committee is meeting on Wed, March 13th at 7:30pm at the Activity Center/ Pool house. Please join us to hear our plans, sign up to help out at an event or two this year or just come and share your ideas! We'd love to have as many people there as possible to make sure we are spending the funding as wisely as possible, making sure to offer events for all of our Victor Garden's residents!

Just a note about the social committee... the time commitment is minimal. We meet 2 or 3 times per year to plan and organize events. We would love to see you volunteer at an event or even plan one! If you can't attend but have ideas or would like to volunteer please contact Lisa at john3995@umn.edu