HAWKES HAPPENINGS
The Newsletter of the Hawkes Bluff Homeowners' Association
Volume 8 Number 4 August/September, 1999
Nominations Board Meeting - Tuesday 28th September 1999 - promptly at 7:30 p.m.
Fire-station Community Room - All residents are encouraged to attend
QUARTERLY MEETING UPDATE
from your board
The July quarterly meeting was held Tuesday 27th July at the Ivanhoe Fire Station Community Room with just a few residents in attendance. Association President Howard Neu opened the meeting and Treasurer Don Elbert gave the financial report. As of the meeting date all homeowners had already paid their 1999 assessment - this is a first - spectacular news.
Howard's President's report covered several items, particularly additional street lighting (which we are still awaiting) and DOT landscape plans. As many residents are aware, Florida DOT want to eradicate non-native plants on DOT property statewide. The tall stand of melaleuca trees behind homes in this development, alongside the southbound lanes of I-75 will be removed, as will the four feet high hog-fence there. The fence will be replaced with a six feet high chain link fence and the trees with some appropriate landscaping. In mid-June DOT held an informational presentation of their improved landscaping plans for local residents. They do not seem open to any suggestion of further changes. While the landscaping will look charming to those driving by, it will do little in the way of a sound or visual barrier for those residents living near or alongside 1-75. Any suggestion of a wall will not be considered by DOT. The new fence and landscaping are scheduled for installation immediately after removal of the existing fence and trees in approximately April next year.
Bids received recently for the landscape contract were reviewed by the board prior to the meeting and it was announced that Pan American Landscaping was selected. The scope of the bid includes maintaining the east side of the Stirling Road entrance at the same time and in the same manner as our west side is maintained. Naturally, Parcel A homeowners association will meet all the costs of maintenance on the east side.
Various Committee reports from board members were made particularly Compliance. John Pickett plans
to concentrate on a project per quarter, for example: mailboxes, roofs, edging, etc. Volunteers to help are welcome so please contact John - thank you so much.
There are plans for lighting at the Stirling Road entrance and already electric power to the island has been installed so watch for lights there soon.
Homeowners are reminded that the board meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next board meeting will include nominations for the new board, which will be elected at the annual meeting in late October. Any residents considering volunteering their time to assist as board members should be aware that, while it is not a time-consuming task, it does require a commitment of attending regular monthly meetings and setting aside a few hours each month for minor tasks. Please take the time to consider carefully who you would like to represent your interests on your homeowner's board and consider volunteering yourself. The nominations meeting will be held on Tuesday September 28th . The annual election meeting will be held on Tuesday October 26th. Residents are encouraged to make a note of these dates and to plan to attend. As usual refreshments will be provided.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Your friendly Code Enforcement Committee needs YOU to take a good look at the following:
Edging your yard - particularly by the street also along any sidewalk if present Trimming your trees - especially any that overhang the sidewalk at face level
Edging and trimming grass along your fences
Painting / maintaining your mailbox
Keeping your roof clean
Remember - friendly notices WILL be issued so...PLEASE COMPLY - Thanks!!
OTHER BOARD NEWS
At the most recent (August) board meeting representatives from the new landscaping company met with the board to review any questions and to ensure our requirements were clear. Progress on the following topics was also discussed by the board.
Sign at north (Griffin Road) entrance.
Plans for a sign have been evaluated and approved by the board. Installation will start once permits have been obtained from the Town of Davie.
Lighting at south (Stirling Road) entrance.
The necessary electric power has been installed to the island. The new lighting fixtures will be installed there shortly. At the same time improvements will be made to some of the lighting on the west side.
Lighting and rust stains on wall at west (Dykes Road) entrance.
Application of a rust remover works wonders on the rust stains. Our new landscaper has been asked to remove rust stains on the wall promptly if they appear and to pay particular attention to broken or wrongly directed sprinkler heads. Several of the lights are not working in this area and vandalism is unfortunately the main reason. Lights will be fixed and replaced as appropriate at the same time as the lighting work is done at the south entrance in the near future.
VANDALISM
We are lucky here in this development not to suffer from too much vandalism but unfortunately it does occur. Even more unfortunately many of the problems originate with residents of our community.
Residents are encouraged to do what they can to help no matter how minor something might seem. Please don't hesitate to call the police if you see anything - or anyone - acting suspiciously. The more police reports we file the more visibility we have to the Davie police and the more attention they will pay to us and the more likely it is that the perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted. Davie police have already noticeably stepped up their patrols in this area since the arrival of their new chief who makes everyone responsible for their areas of patrol - a concept that has worked well in other cities.
PEOPLE NEWS
Congratulations to Ray and Chris Morales of Thistledown on the arrival of Natalie Faith Morales. Born on May 18th , weight 9lbs 5 ozs, 21 3/4 inches. Natalie is already 3 1/2 months and growing fast. Older daughter Lindsey was born when Ray and Chris first moved here 10 years ago (new house, new baby).
More people news: births, marriages, important celebrations, promotions, anything... PLEASE...
IVANHOE CIVIC ASSOCIATION
At times the Ivanhoe Civic Association holds meetings to talk about items of interest to all of the nine Ivanhoe sub-divisions. A meeting was held in early August to give representatives from the various associations an idea of the progress the unincorporated ranch areas around us are making in their efforts to join a city or perhaps form their own city.
An excellent overview of a recent feasibility study on their options and costs was presented by a representative from what is now known as "Southwest ranches". This group is made up of unincorporated areas such as Sunshine Ranches, Green Meadows, Rolling Oaks, Country Estates, Deem's Ranches and Ivanhoe Estates (with apologies to any group missed). Early next year residents in these currently unincorporated areas will vote on whether to join an existing city or form their own city. Since Ivanhoe lies between these areas we will be interested to see what happens and to weigh up any benefits to us. Anyone interested in seeing a copy of the feasibility study Should contact the board (mail, phone, fax, e-mail).
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
Although Hurricane Dennis never quite reached us, there are more storms predicted and residents are reminded that we're approaching peak hurricane season. Please, please take a good look at your trees and large shrubs - we've had a lot of rain and everything has been growing like crazy. Better to do some proper pruning now and keep your trees the way you want them rather than letting Mother Nature do her haphazard pruning. Make sure that top-heavy tees aren't going to blow over on your roof too. Remember to bundle yard waste for trash collection if you don't want to compost it.
WHIRLWIND WASHINGTON DC
As a Mother's Day treat, a resident took her mother on a 2-day whirlwind tour of Washington DC and writes:
Boarding an Old Town Trolley after breakfast on Mother's day morning we rode from Union Station past the Capitol and down the Mall passing several famous places and with good commentary en route. Got off at the White House for a close up view and a photo opportunity. Onto another trolley, up past the zoo to the new cathedral then down Embassy Row to Georgetown. Got off again to stroll down to the Potomac for a pleasant outdoor lunch with a view of Watergate then took a look around. Discovered the old C&O canal and a peaceful walk along the towpath back to the trolley stop. Our final trolley took us past Watergate, the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials Washington monument, Smithsonian museum buildings, the Capitol and a return to Union Station Now we knew where everything was and how far apart and felt we had seen the main points.
In the evening we walked from our very centrally located hotel along Pennsylvania Avenue for outdoor dinner on the wide sidewalk at a charming French restaurant. A horse-drawn carriage ride topped the evening off with a clip-clop around just a small part of this very European-feeling capital city.
We took an excellent guided tour of the Capitol building next morning with further explorations on our own after the tour. Then we used the Metro (subway system) to reach the National Geographic Museum to see the Pirate ship exhibit. From there we went by bus to the Museum of Natural History to see the Hope Diamond. Strolled across the Mall (eating ice cream) to the Air and Space Museum and after several exhibits we took a break for lunch in their cafeteria followed by an IMAX show. By taxi to the Jefferson memorial then a stroll in lovely sunshine around the tidal basin and through the delightful Roosevelt memorial with abundant waterfalls and flowers (we liked that best). On to the Lincoln memorial and some quiet moments with a wonderful view of the reflecting pools thinking of all we had seen. Finally by Metro train to the ever-so-convenient National airport from which the city can still be seen in the distance.
YARD SALE DATE
YARD SALE WEEKEND - dates are :
Saturday 23th September 1999
Sunday 26th September 1999
The tentative date previously announced was incorrectly based on wrong bulk pick-up dates. The next bulk pick-up is definitely scheduled for Monday September 27th so the Hawkes Bluff wide yard sale will take place the weekend before.
Residents wishing to participate need only to put stuff out on either or both days and start selling. The association will take care of local advertising. There will also be notices posted at the entrances as a reminder of the yard sale weekend. Any residents with any questions regarding this should contact the board. Start planning now and think about all the things you can turn into useful cash for the holidays...
NEW WEB SITE
Many residents have a hard time remembering the association web site address. Die-hard computer geeks already have it saved as one of their favorite places. But it never has been an easy name to tell your friends or new neighbors about so we have good news. Coming soon - the new easy-to remember name of:
www. hawkesbluff, com
When? Just keep checking the current web site at
www. geocities.com/picket fence/3046
for an announcement of when the new site will be ready...hope to see you on-line and please remember to sign the visitor book when you do access either site.
MAC - OUR MAIL CARRIER- WRITES
The following letter was received in a recent e-mail and it makes a good point that residents should take note of:
I hope you don't mind that I have accessed your home page. I just like to know as much as I can about my customers. Would you please inform your residents to place their garbage cans away from the mailboxes? Also, mention to them not to block the mailboxes with their vehicles and those of any visitors (lawn service, maintenance men and etc). Thanks for your co-operation.
DAVIE CITIZEN COMPLAINT FORM
One of the many nifty features to be found on our web site is a Davie Citizen complaint form. Councilmember Judy Paul, who represents District 4 (our district) on the Davie Town Council has a form for anyone who has a complaint about the Town. This form may be filled out and mailed to Judy and you will get a reply. If you don't have Internet access please contact the Town for a copy of the form or check the free local Davie newspaper.
NEWSLETTER DELIVERY Additional helpers are always welcome
Please contact Mo Christie
at 434-8287 - evenings or weekends
if you would like to volunteer
Thanks
If you need a copy of the bylaws please read them on the web-site or contact your board for a copy, which will be provided at a nominal charge of 25¢ per page.
REMINDERS
Next bulk pick. up scheduled for... Monday September 27th
NEWSLETTER
The next newsletter is planned for publication in early October. Please have articles, advertisements and other items submitted by October 7u'. As always all items will be handled on a first-come, space-permitting basis. PLEASE - let's have some people news. Also your thoughts, ideas, plans for upcoming occasions especially any millennium celebrations on your street. Unless you WANT to be reading another travelogue...
CONTACTING YOUR BOARD
The board encourages homeowners to put any queries or concerns in writing, to the address below please indicating Construction Approval, Newsletter, etc. as appropriate OR by sending e-mail. Since your board members are volunteers if you do phone please pick a considerate time, identify yourself as a Hawkes Bluff resident, be brief and keep to the point. Thanks.
President Howard Neu 434-4006
Vice President Mo Christie 434-8287
Secretary Jay Stahl 680-8686
Treasurer Don Elbert 434-9598
Assistant Secretary Gretchen Farmer 434-8337
Director at Large John Pickett 680-3835
Director at Large Mike Murphy 434-9715
Please send any correspondence (comments, requests for construction approval, etc) via e-mail or to the mail box (located in the Regency Square Pak 'n' Ship)
HAWKES BLUFF HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
4839 SW 148th Ave Suite 400
Davie, FL 33330~1
Fax phone number • 680 8650
E-mail ' hawkesbluff@juno.com
LOOK FOR US ON THE INTERNET
http://www.geocities.com/picketfence/3046
or... coming soon:
http://www.hawkesbluff, com