April 2014

 
 

The trees are budding, squirrels have returned to my yard, and the neighborhood is bustling with contractor's vehicles. It must be spring.  

 

Many of you may have noticed a few areas that were dug up last month as we had to repair some water line issues. Thanks for your patience. You'll also start to see the enhanced landscaping work over the next month or two.

 

The volunteers and I want to say THANK YOU for all the efforts to keep the neighborhood looking great. We've noticed an increase in efforts to park cars on the driveway instead of the street, keeping trash cans hidden from sight, and picking up after those that leave droppings or trash in common areas. It's this proactive mentality that sets us apart.

 

Now is the perfect time to submit your Architectural Control form for any spring renovations you are planning on the outside of your home. This leaves time to get approvals within 30 days and hit the ground running by early May. Check out the trees and bushes on your property please...if they hang over sidewalks or your fence lines, please trim them back this spring!

 

As we strive to keep up with the various ways homeowners communicate and search for great neighborhoods, Heritage Greens now has our own Facebook page! Be sure to read details below and "Like" us to get the word out and link with your neighbors. Also send us feedback if you have great suggestions in the social media space. Perhaps we can get some insights from our teenage gurus in the neighborhood.


Jeff Rector
HOA President
303-570-8291 
Remember to click on the advertisements you see in this newsletter to visit the advertisers' websites. Please support those companies that support Heritage Greens! (Advertisers are not endorsed by Heritage Greens HOA) 
 
Meet Some of the HOA Volunteers

Diane Liberty - Tennis and Volleyball
Diane Liberty has lived in Heritage Greens for 17 years with her husband Blake and their two children. She enjoys playing tennis with her HG team and you might see her on our courts playing social tennis with other Heritage Green couples.

"My duties are to prepare our tennis and volleyball courts for safe play and to keep the courts clean throughout the season."
Dean Schmeling, Pool Co-Chair
Dean has spent most of his life in the local area, attending Cherry Creek High School and CU Boulder. "I'm happy to share stories of 'the good old days' like riding dirt bikes where Willow Creek neighborhood is now, navigating the city before 470 and 225 were built."

Dean started his career as an electrical engineer at Honeywell, now Lifetime Fitness, and for the last twenty years worked in sales for various semiconductor companies. 

"I met my lovely wife Jane on a blind date 'Murder Mystery Dinner' and we have been married for 17 years. We moved from Lone Tree to the HG area 9 years ago in order to make room for our growing family of four kids under the age of three, Jaden, Sydney, Mariah and Jaxson. Yes, that was a lot of diapers!

Dean says since the pool has been a center of his family's summer social life, it seemed natural to volunteer and help insure it stays in good shape.
John Nielsen, Architectural Control Committee
John and his wife Linda built and have lived in Heritage Greens for 26 years this past February. They have two grown and married daughters who also live in Colorado. Both girls attended Lenski, Powel and Arapahoe. What a terrific school system and great experiences!  Kirsten graduated from U of Arizona, Eller College of Business, Alexis from U of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business. We recently had TWO weddings within a 12 month period, and you think college is expensive.

John retired about a year ago and had spent his professional career in the surgical medical device arena in Sales and Sales Management in predominately Ophthalmology but also Plastics, Ortho and Robotics. Jeff Rector, our HOA President, caught John at a weak moment and signed him up on the ACC. We've lived here quite a while, and still feel it's the best place in Colorado to raise a family! And speaking of families, in June, our daughter Kirsten (& Jason a CSU alumnae) are...........................expecting a baby boy!
Heidi Elliott, Newsletter and Website
Heidi moved to Heritage Greens with her husband Dane almost 13 years ago. That was back when they both had corporate jobs and were never home. Then eight years ago their twins were born and that's when they got to know the great residents of Heritage Greens. Five years ago they moved to a different house within HG which they consider their "forever" home.

Heidi has been handling communications for the HOA since 2011. This April issue marks the three year anniversary for the email newsletter. Heidi also created the website in late 2011 and continues to work with the HOA on their communications needs.

"I love Heritage Greens because of the wonderful people we have met here. It's one of the reasons we don't consider moving back to California. It just doesn't seem like we could ever find a neighborhood like HG."
Meet Our New Representative at ACCU, Inc.

You may have met Cheryl Witt from ACCU, Inc. over the years. She has moved on to new challenges and we have a new property manager from ACCU, Inc.

David Kirschner, Property Manager
David Kirschner has over 10 years of real estate and property management experience. He takes pride in his communication skills, customer service and ability to create solutions to complex problems. He has been a real estate broker for 11 years and has an active broker license in the state of Colorado.

He is a graduate of Denver East High School and has sociology degree from Colorado State University. He is currently working toward his CMCA designation and continues to broaden his knowledge of community association management with frequent continuing education classes.

David is a native of Denver and appreciates all that Denver and Colorado has to offer. He enjoys spending time with his family and enjoys the great outdoors.







ONLINE TICKET SALES COMING SOON! 


Gator Swim Team News

 

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Gators and we are excited to see our old Gators back for a fun filled summer of swimming.

 

Registration

It's time to register for the 2014 swim season! Online registration is open. Visit our new team website at http://hggators.swimtopia.com  and register your swimmer today. Registration is only available online. We would like to have the majority of swimmers registered by April 30th so that we can begin coordinating the number of volunteer spots per family. As you register please note that you can also sign up for the "Gator Gallop" and "Family Night at the Pool". These are the two largest fundraisers for the swim team. For more information on these events please visit the website.

                                                                                      

Gator Gear Night

Heritage Greens Clubhouse

April 8 and 9, 4-7 p.m.

cash or check only

 

Swimsuits and other gear will be available at Gator Gear Night. The swimsuits will be the same design as last year. We have a limited supply of this design for the 2014 swim season and will not be able to order any more. The boys will still have two style options: either jammers (long) or a racer (like a Speedo). We'll be offering the great backpacks, swim caps, sweat shirts, beach towels and the really cool green plaid pajama pants. Most of these items can be customized with your child's name or initials. If you are unable to attend one of these evenings, please contact Shelley Thompson at  bobandshelley@comcast.net for ordering information.

 

Gator Garage Sale

Do your kids have any Gator Gear that they have grown out of? The swim team will be collecting donations of any old suits, sweats, swim caps, etc. up until Gear Night, April 8 & 9. We will then have a grab bin at both gear nights to sell the items for $1- $5 per item. The proceeds from the gear sale will go to the purchase of our coaches t-shirts and sweat shirts. We're hoping that this will be a great resource for some practice suits for our kids.

 

Please drop off Gator Gear items to Shelley Thompson at 7731 S. Glencoe Court or Holly Malcolm at 7708 S Cherry Court - they will have a collection box on their front porch. Any gear left over will be donated to charity.

 

Click Here for 2014 Printable Gator Calendar (Please check the website as updated information on dates may be posted.)

 

The season is fast approaching. We have a fantastic group of coaches and lots of fun plans for the season.

 

We're keeping the website up to date with the latest news, bios on our coaches, and other useful info, so please check it out at http://hggators.swimtopia.com 

 

If you have questions or ideas about swim team, please contact us.

 

See you soon!

 

Holly Malcolm, hggators@gmail.com, 303-808-8682

Nancy Seavall, hggators@gmail.com, 303-918-1611     

 

GO GATORS!

 
Gator Gallop - Memorial Day Monday, May 26

Please join your neighbors in support of our swim team at the annual Gator Gallop!

 

Memorial Day, Monday May 26 at 9 am

 

This is a 2-mile fun run and walk, sponsored by Anne Dresser Kocur of Fuller Sotheby's Realty and Leslie McGivern of Affiliated Financial Group, that supports our Heritage Greens Gators. This is a great kickoff to summer and a fun way to reconnect with old neighbors and meet new ones! It is open to all Heritage Greens residents even if you are not part of the swim team. This year we will have some fun post-race activities including the opportunity to dunk our very own swim team coaches in dunk tanks! We have prizes for all ages and have created a t-shirt with the logo below. The color of the t-shirt will be a solid lime green. Don't miss out!

  

 

 

Registration forms can be downloaded from this link and are available at the HG entrance signs. Registration with t-shirt orders are due by MONDAY MAY 12! We hope you can join us for a healthy run, prizes and fun!

 

 

Any questions, please contact Melissa Mooney bikemouse@aol.com (303-717-5293) or Jan McElhiney jmcelhiney@ciber.com (303-777-8762).

We are currently soliciting prizes from families or businesses to award our winning runners. We welcome all prizes, but please consider a simple cash donation of $40 which provides prize money to an entire age group of runners!   If you would like to donate, please contact Melissa Mooney. 

 

Website Feature: Teen Services

Does your teen want to earn some extra money this summer? Think about putting their special skills on the Heritage Greens website.

You already know about Find a Sitter for babysitters and pet sitters. But maybe your teen can also help with gardening, tutor younger kids, mow lawns or clean trashcans. Whatever it is, you can advertise it in the Teen Services section.

There is also a Help Wanted category for those looking for some help and there is an ad there already!

Check it out!

  
HG Tennis Social Committee & Mixed Tournament May 25
 
We are putting together an HG Tennis Social Committee. The committee will plan tennis social events throughout the season including tournaments, ladders and other fun events. We would like to have a diverse committee with men and women from different levels who have creative and fun ideas!

If you would like to be part of this committee, please contact Heidi Elliott at heidi@beanstalk-marketing.com.

Our first event of the season will be a Mixed Doubles Tournament on Sunday, May 25 (day before Memorial Day). You will be able to register as a team or individually. More information coming soon, but save the date!
 
Tennis

Be sure to go online and book your court prior to going to play. Reservations take precedence. Also, please review the tennis courts rules and  tennis court reservation rules.

Please clean up when you are finished playing or socializing. Please help empty the small trash cans into the the bigger ones on the outside of the court.

Keys can be obtained from Marty or Diane. First one is free, after that they are $5 each.

Enjoy the season!

Marty Smith
League Coordinator, mlsmiff@msn.com, 303-507-9605

Diane Liberty
Tennis & Volleyball Coordinator, familyliberty@yahoo.com, 303-564-8615
 
HG Moms, Pops and Tots Group

Spring is here, and that means it's time to get the kids outside to play! The Heritage Greens Moms, Pops and Tots group is busy planning upcoming events to bring the kids and parents together for some fun!

The MPT group consists of neighbors with children from 0 - 6 years old who enjoy activities such as play dates, swim events, as well as some big parties spread throughout the year. 

Are you new to Heritage Greens and want to know more about the MPT group?  Please contact the group leaders below and they will be sure to put you on the list for future communications on upcoming events.

Alison Rank - alisonjrank@comcast.net
Ann O'Connor - ann_anthes@hotmail.com
Leslie Suh - millerlk44@hotmail.com

MPT Egg Hunt
Hop on down to Linksview Park from 11 am - 1 pm on Saturday, April 12, for some Easter fun!  The annual Moms, Pops and Tots Egg Hunt will be fun for kids from 0 - 6 years old.  We will have different start times, by age group, so the little bunnies will have an opportunity to search for the eggs at their own pace. The Easter Bunny will be there to start the race off at precisely 11:15 am, so be sure to be on time and bring your camera! A light lunch will be provided.  

The cost is $5 per family that can be dropped off prior to the event at Ann O'Connor's home, 7817 S. Forest St.  

We look forward to seeing everyone there!
 
Neighborhoods and Nonprofits: Pedaling 4 Parkinson's
By Diane Grierson, Heritage Greens Resident

Spring is here! It's time to get the bikes out of the garage and hit the trails. Better yet, ride with a purpose and help The Michael J. Fox Foundation find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Pedaling 4 Parkinson's is a charity bicycle ride and EXPO on Saturday, June 7 that brings hundreds each year to Glendale's Creekside Park to support people with Parkinson's disease, and those searching for a cure. The EXPO includes sponsors' exhibits, food, live music and other activities for all ages.

 

Started by three Denver area women whose lives have been affected by Parkinson's disease, Pedaling 4 Parkinson's is quickly becoming a favorite ride for both serious and not-so-serious cyclists. "A lot of our riders are not hard-core cyclists," said Greg Fiske, part of the all-volunteer organization, "but they ride to support a family member with Parkinson's." Giving 100% of the money raised to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, "P4P" provides an opportunity for many to "Join the Fight" against this devastating disease.

 

Parkinson's disease affects over one million people nationwide, and around 17,000 here in Colorado. Recent research has shown that cycling can have some amazing benefits for people with Parkinson's, including reduced symptoms and a slower rate of progression. Increasing awareness of those benefits is an important goal of Pedaling 4 Parkinson's. With that in mind, "The Tandem Bike Project" has been added this year to give people with Parkinson's an opportunity to participate by riding on the back of a piloted tandem cycle.  

 

For more information and to register as a rider or a volunteer, go to www.Pedaling4Parkinsons.org.

 
Heritage Greens on Facebook!

Please take a moment to LIKE our new page on Facebook. We'll be using Facebook to promote social events and other happenings in the 'hood. It is also a great place to get up-to-the-minute information like lost dogs, lost items and neighbor requests. If you have any suggestions for our page, please contact the newsletter and website manager at HGNewsWeb@gmail.com.


Neighborhood watch! We need your help!

Dog Lovers
Its a neighborly thing to do. Please pay close attention to your dog's barking. This time of year neighbor complaints rise significantly because of evening and late night dog barking. Homeowners understand that dogs need to go out to the restroom, but dogs left outside for longer periods of time are our problem dogs. Please respect your neighbors and bring your dog inside.

In addition, please use our doggie waste bags in moderation and only take what you need and as you need them. Believe it or not we have distributed over 6000 poop bags in only three months. The labor cost is significant to restock our stations and the plastic bags are costly to our HOA. 

What you should do if you have a barking dog problem nearby?
1) Approach your neighbor and voice your concerns. Many times dog owners don't realize there is a significant issue
2) Write a polite note and place it under their door mat voicing your concerns. It's suggested you identify yourself and provide a phone number. Hopefully the dog owner will provide their number as well, so you can give them a heads up if the issue continues.

Teenagers Beware
Residents, please be on the lookout for vandals in Heritage Greens. Vandals continue to break our light fixtures, signage, dog stations, etc. We have spent thousands of dollars again this past year in this needless waste.  Our best source to prevent this continued abuse is to communicate our neighborhood problem with our children. Most of our kids are angels and the trouble usually lies with just a few. Let's find our problem. Maybe your child has heard who has been involved. Let them know we have cameras in the hood and we will involve the police. Please notify a board member. We will treat your tip with extreme care.

 
Reminder: Newsletter Now Arrives on the 10th of the Month

Starting with the March issue, our Heritage Greens News is delivered to your email inbox around the tenth of the month. This allows us to have our monthly HOA board meeting first, and then add any new information to the newsletter. All articles and ads are now due on the first of the month.

We are always looking for feedback and comments from our readers, so feel free to let me know what you think and how we can improve this newsletter. If you would like to submit an article, please do! We would love to have more content from the residents!

Heidi Elliott, HG News & Web, 303.521.8824, HGNewsWeb@gmail.com
Are You Thinking of Remodeling or a New Roof?

 

The Architectural Control Committee must approve all updates and changes to homes, roofs and landscaping. Requests should be made 30 days prior to work starting. 

 

Requests must be submitted in writing to ACCU per the request form (click here ). If you are thinking of a new roof be sure to review the updated approved roofing materials and colors (click here). 

 

Click here to review all the important documents before submitting your request.    

 

You can find all of these documents are under the HOA Documents section on the website. If you have forgotten your password simply email the webmaster at HGNewsWeb@gmail.com.  

 

Centennial Among Best Places for Homeownership in Colorado

 


NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best places for homeownership in Colorado - and Centennial made the list. As renting becomes less affordable, NerdWallet wanted to give potential homebuyers a look at the current housing market. The study based its rankings on the following criteria:
·         Homeownership rate
·         Selected monthly homeowner costs
·         Monthly household income
·         Population growth

NerdWallet ranked Centennial as the 17th best place in Colorado for homeownership. The City has a homeownership rate of 84 percent, and median monthly homeowner costs are $1,903. Centennial's population grew by 1.3 percent between 2010 and 2012. Read more.

 

Heritage Greens Website
One Account Per Household
Each household has one account (that means you have to share your log in information with your wife/husband/partner). The user name is the email associated with the address. If we have two emails for your household, only one of them will be the user name. The password is a random set of letters and numbers. If you lost your log in information please contact me at HGNewsWeb@gmail.com.

Features
  • Click on Tennis, VB & Community Room Reservations to see when these amenities are available, as well as make reservations for tennis or volleyball courts.
  • Under Community Room you will find instructions and information on how to reserve the community room for an event.  
  • Check out Teen Services to see what services teens are offering around the neighborhood.
  • There is also the Find a Sitter page where baby and pet sitters can post their information.  
  • The Message Board allows you to post your own message to the neighborhood. Be sure to click My Subscriptions at the top to choose the topics that interest you.
  • There is a Classifieds page so feel free to post what you want to sell with a photo. 
  • Under HOA Documents you can find all the information you need before making changes to your home, as well as minutes from the board meetings and financials. 
  • And don't forget all the information in the Resident Directory. You can search for friends and neighbors by their name or address.
If you have any questions, problems or concerns, feel free to contact me directly.
 
Heidi Elliott, HG News & Website
South Suburban Events - April

Summer Adventure Pass, Available May 24 - September 1
South Suburban Park and Recreation District is offering a specially priced summer pass from at its four recreation centers and four outdoor pools. Unlimited fun all summer long at Goodson, Buck, Sheridan, and Lone Tree recreation centers and at Harlow, Franklin, Holly, and Cook Creek outdoor pools. You can purchase a pass at any recreation center starting Monday, April 7. Household* $356/$267 (R); Adult $186/$140 (R); Youth $137/$102 (R); Add'l. child $54/$27 (R); Senior $140/$105 (R) *Household = 2 adults & 3 children under 21 living at home.
Purchase your pass by May 3 and receive $50 in values to our recreation facilities.  For more information, call 303-347-5999.

CAMPS Planning Guide- Lots of Fun for Everyone!
Pick up your own fun filled Summer Camps Guide at any recreation center and find camps galore for all summer long: Full-Day, Arts and Enrichment Camps, Dance, Science, Golf, Champs, Sports, Lacrosse, Sports Dome and Tennis. Or view the guide at https://www.ssprd.org/Portals/0/Camps/Camps_Planning_Guide.pdf. For more information, call 303-347-5999 or go to www.sspr.org/Camps.  You may register for all camps at www.sspr.org.

Rockin' on the River 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, April 13, starts and finishes in front of the Hudson Gardens & Event Center, 6115 South Santa Fe Dr., Littleton.
Course runs along the beautiful Platte River on the Mary Carter Greenway - flat and fast! Prizes will be awarded in age and gender categories for the 5K. Race will be timed using timing chip technology.  No dogs are allowed on Hudson Gardens property so this will be a pooch-free event, sorry pups. Pre-registration fee is Adult - $25 ($30 fee day of race) Youth - $15 and includes race T-shirt. Register by Friday, April 4 to guarantee t-shirt size. Online registration at www.RunningGuru.com/Event/Rockin closes at 5 pm, Friday April 11. For more information, email Reedd@sspr.org.

Blood Screening
University Hospital professional staff screens cholesterol and over thirty other blood components. Appointment on a drop-in basis. 12 hour fast required. Minimum age 18, unless accompanied by parent/guardian. Fee: $40 and up. For more information, email EllenM@sspr.org.
Lone Tree Recreation Center 10249 Ridgegate Circle Lone Tree, 303-708-3500.
Tue, April 22
Goodson Recreation Center 6315 S University Blvd Centennial, 303-798-2476
Wed, April 23
Buck Community Recreation Center 2004 W. Powers Ave. Littleton, 303-797-8787
Thu, April 24
Family Sports Center 6901 S Peoria St Centennial, 303-708-9500
Fri, April 25
All 7-9:30 am
 
FREE Family Egg Hunt,
Sat Apr 19, 9 - 11:30 am, Family Sports Dome, 6959 S Peoria St, Centennial.
The Egg Hunt is open to ages 12 and under. Start times are staggered: 3 and under, 9:30 am; 4-6 yrs, 10 am; 7-9 yrs, 10:30 am, 10-12 yrs, 11 am. Please bring your own basket to collect eggs. For more information, contact Christina Ibarra at 303-754-0552 or email her at Christinai@sspr.org.

High Line Canal Run
Sat., May 10, 8 am 10K; 9 am 5K, South Suburban's deKoevend Park, 6315 S. University Blvd.,
Register at www.runningguru.com/Event/Highline. Children and friendly dogs welcome. Registration includes a pancake breakfast, a long sleeve race shirt, goody bag and prize drawings.  Awards will be given to top male and female finishers in both the 10K and 5K race. All ages welcome. Pre-registration encouraged; same day registration available. For more information, call 303-483-7030.

Friday Nite Xtreme,
First Friday of every month, 6:30-10 pm, Family Sports Center, 6901 S. Peoria St, Centennial, 303-708-9500.
Activities include: Ice skating (skate rental not included), laser tag, eXerGame Zone, climbing wall, bumper cars, bungee run, obstacle course, and more for ages 8-13. Fee $14/$12 Resident and includes all activities. Concessions and arcade games extra. Register online or at the door. Please bring your SSPRD ID for Resident rates. This is a supervised program. Parents and adult chaperones must sign their children in and out of the program. For more information, email Reedd@sspr.org. -

Night Light Egg Hunt, Friday, April 18, Colorado Journey, 5150 S. Windermere St.
Have fun hunting for eggs at night. Please bring your own basket and flashlight. Start times are scattered by age group: Ages 4 and under  at 7 pm; Ages 5-8  at 7:30 pm; Ages 9+ at 8 pm. Fee: $2
For more information, call 303-734-1083.

Family Egg Hunt, Sat Apr 19, 9 - 11:30 am, Family Sports Dome, 6959 S Peoria St, Centennial.
The Egg Hunt is open to ages 12 and under. Start times are staggered by age group: 3 and under, 9:30 am; 4-6 yrs, 10 am; 7-9 yrs, 10:30 am, 10-12 yrs, 11 am. Please bring your own basket to collect eggs. For more information, contact Christina Ibarra at 303-754-0552 or email her at Christinai@sspr.org.
 
Event-Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 19, 1:30 pm, Sheridan Recreation Center, 3325 W. Oxford Ave., Denver  An egg hunt for children under 10 years old, Saturday April 19 1:30 pm. For more information, call 303-761-2241.
 
Showtime on Ice, Friday-Sunday, May 9-11; Fri and Sat, 7 pm and Sat and Sun, 1 pm, South Suburban Ice Arena, 6580 S Vine St, Centennial.
Presented by South Suburban's 2 Figure Skating clubs.  The talents of over 100 skaters from beginners to top levels are showcased in this exciting event in 4 performances. For more information, call 303-798-7881.

South Suburban Recreation Centers feature Local Artists in April

Suresh Lakkaraju is presenting his photographs April 1-30 at Goodson Recreation Center, located at 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial, 303-798-2476. He is an IT consultant whose passion is photography and this passion definitely shows in his photographs of nature, objects, portraits, animals, flowers and scenic landscapes.  He pays special attention to light and how it presents itself on his subjects.

The STAR Hobby Club exhibit of images in acrylics will be displayed April 1-30 at Douglas H. Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton, 303-797-8787. The STAR Hobby Club is a program for people with disabilities at the Buck Recreation Center. The club creates new and different crafts, paintings, drawings and other forms of art to develop basic skills and improve self-esteem through unique expression.

John Bartles, a retired architect, will exhibit his watercolors April 1-30 at Lone Tree Recreation Center at 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree, 303-708-3500.

South Suburban's Public Art Committee encourages Colorado artists to submit an application to display their artwork on a temporary basis at various South Suburban recreation facilities. For a complete list of guidelines and an art exhibition application, please visit www.sspr.org or contact Darcie LaScala at 303-483-7072.