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THE DIRT
e-news from
 November, 2009 |
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Greetings!
It's November and as we launch into the holiday season, budget preparations and we hope, some cooler weather, check out what's happening in our world and come join the fun!
You are receiving this because you are either a current client, a past customer, a fellow member of one of the several industry organizations to which we belong or we've met somewhere. Feel free to pass this along to anyone else you think might enjoy this newsletter. Be sure to let us know what information you would like to see - suggestions for articles are always appreciated!
If you do not wish to receive future issues you may unsubscribe at the bottom of this newsletter. |
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WHERE'S THE RAIN?
What to Expect 
We're almost halfway through November and we've had no rain, two record high temperatures, and 5 daytime highs at 90 degrees or above.
Wow!
All of this doesn't even take into account the fact that we saw only a trace of rain for the entire month of October, which ties the record for the driest October on record.
We have not had measurable rain since September 5th when the airport received .16" of rain.
Typically, the Phoenix metropolitan area receives a good amount of rain in October and November. Well, here we are in mid-November with nothing happening. If we don't see some reasonable precipitation in the valley over the next month or so, we will be keeping watering schedules at higher levels. We may even have to uncap any irrigation that has been previously capped to established desert trees and shrubs. Even desert-adapted plants need SOME water. In addition, we could see fertilization requirements increase because rain not only provides moisture, it is the best source of nitrogen needed by our desert plants.
To learn how you can help, Click Here to learn more about rain dancing!
WARNING: Cool temps can happen any day - be sure to remember to not walk on the rye grass if there's any sign of frost! And cover plants if we should hit a cold spell - you just never know! |
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UPCOMING AND HAPPENING
WILL WALK FOR FOOD
Saturday, December 5 @ 8:30 am
In the SPIRIT of the holiday season, do good for yourself and do good for our community! TIERRA MADRE has teamed up with our friends at THE WALKING CONNECTION to collect non-perishable food items for a local food bank. Come join us (including Don!!! - Donna's influence is wearing off after 20+ years) for a fun walk along the trails in the Reach 11 Recreation Area. Walk as much or as little as you would like! Meet in the parking lot on the east side of Tatum Blvd about a half mile south of the 101. Donated food items will be collected before the walk.
Hosted by Don & Donna Wood and Gene & JoAnn Taylor.
December 24, 2009
Will Santa be making another early appearance at Tierra Madre's holiday luncheon? He's a busy guy but we have connections! Contact our friends at Send Out Santa to see if you can get the jolly old elf to show up at your event!
Don't forget to become a Fan on Facebook
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 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SHOULDN'T BLOW YOUR BUDGET
How to contain costs without resorting to "Two Men and a Truck Landscapers"
How do you know if you're dealing with professionals?
Part 1 of an on-going series
By doing your due-diligience you'll be able to verify that the contractor you are considering is in compliance with all Regulatory Agencies. Check the Registrar of Contractors to assure a current and active license is in place.
According to the ROC and AZ Statutes:
"Any business which contracts or offers to contract to build, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building, highway, road, railroad, excavation or other structure, development or improvement, or to do any part of the work must be a licensed contractor. ......"Contractor" includes subcontractors, floor covering contractors, landscape contractors and consultants representing themselves as having the ability to supervise or manage a construction project for the benefit of the property owner.
Supervision or management includes hiring and firing of specialty contractors, scheduling of work on the project, and selection and purchasing of construction material.
Contractors must be properly licensed before submitting bids. "
Although maintenance only work does not require a contractors' license in the state of Arizona, most large properties will occasionally have monuments upgraded and refurbished, granite replenished, trees replaced, new plantings or even winter lawns installed - all of which, if in excess of $1,000.00 does require a license. (See ARS §32-1121.A.14).
In addition to protecting you, the consumer, in the event of a dispute or failure to perform, the ROC requires each contractor to have a current Sales Tax license in place. Each licensed contract is also obligated to provide Workers' Compensation insurance. (Insurance will be covered more in our next issue.)
Also, as we discussed last month, Arizona requires all employers to participate in the E-Verify program, however, not very many employers are actually participating. Although it is not your job to police your vendors, it only makes sense to ask for proof of participation in the E-Verify program. Without getting into the debate about whether or not this program makes sense, one question that must be considered is: What happens to your property if one day there are no employees to show up to perform maintenance? How long would you be without service and how much does it cost you when you are rushed to find a replacement?
Be sure to look for the rest of this series in upcoming newsletters. |
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KUDOS KORNER
WELCOME! Tierra Madre is pleased to add these fine properties to our maintenance schedule:
Dolce Salon & Spa | Madrid Place HOA
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!  Tierra Madre was excited to participate in the annual JDRF walk on Halloween morning down at Tempe Town Lake. Over 19,500 walkers participated - INCLUDING DON WOOD - and raised $1.5 million dollars! You truly could not ask for a more beautiful day and the enthusiasm was amazing. And a big "Shout Out" to the JDRF staff and all the volunteers for pulling off a great event. And congratulations to my personal favorite team, Jack's Pack with 160 walkers and donations raised in excess of $17,000.
Let's hope a cure is found for Juvenile Diabetes and we all get together to Walk in Celebration!!
THANK YOU!
To everyone who sent well wishes and prayers for Leesa's mom. She is on her way to a full recovery and the prognosis is looking very good.
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 FALL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
Fall. When the morning air turns crisp and cool, the apples are falling and the leaves begin to float softly to the ground......
Okay, I was dreaming there for a minute. But, even though we don't necessarily see drastic changes from Summer to Fall (especially so far this year), the season still triggers changes in landscape maintenance requirements. During this time of year when plants are not growing as quickly you'll see more focus on irrigation assessments. This is typically the time to start moving heads away from trees and, if appropriate, capping off heads where no longer needed.
Fall is also the time for pre-emergent applications and follow-up fertilization of winter rye grass. Remember - keep your pets off the new rye grass because the urine can leave dead spots.
One good thing about the warmer weather we've experienced last month and this month is it's not too late to plant new trees and shrubs. For great plant selections and ideas, stop by and say "hi" to John, Kelly and Kipp out at Black Mountain Nursery. They're on the Northeast corner of Dynamite and Tatum - just look for the big "Open to the Public" signs.
If you're a "do it yourselfer" at home, be sure to check out all the classes at the Desert Botanical Garden. They even have classes on vegetable gardening in the desert! That's the beauty of 300+ days of sunshine. |
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In closing, everyone at Tierra Madre wishes you and your family a very safe, happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Don't forget to check out our website for more information about upcoming events or if you've missed previous editions of our newsletter.
And, help us reach 200 fans on FaceBook by December 1, 2009!
Sincerely,
TIERRA MADRE Landscape Services, Inc.
HAPPY  DAY!! |
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